1.1.1 Incident Category

Tank Truck Roll-Over/Diesel Spill

1.1.2 Site Description

On May 13, 2016, a tanker truck belonging to the SOCO Group flipped over while transitioning from I-8 west onto Moreno Blvd., releasing 3715 gallons of diesel fuel. The diesel migrated through weep hole drains onto the San Diego River Floodplain and into the river itself. The contamination is also on Friars Road and the Morena Blvd.  overpass. The responsible party (RP) initiated a response, hiring NRC Environmental Services (NRC)  to conduct response operations, which are on-going. A Unified Command has been set up to include the RP, San Diego County Environmental Health Hazmat (SDCoEH), California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CADFW) Office of Oil Spill, Prevention and Response (OSPR)  and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). See Section 3.2 for other cooperating agencies.

The spill impacted San Diego River and flood plain, which are  "Waters of the US".  It drains to the Pacific Ocean approximately two miles downstream to the ocean. 

 1.1.2.1 Location

The spill impacted the off-ramp from westbound I-8 to Morena Blvd. north overpass; Friars Road beneath the Morena Blvd. overpass, the San Diego River channel and the San Diego River flood basin. 

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

See POLREP No. 1.  Currently, soil excavations are on-going in areas next to the river shoreline.  The river has some limited sheening along the excavation areas and some limited pockets of vegetation upstream of the bridge.  There have not been any wildlife impacts detected.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

See POLREP No. 1.  On May 23, 2016, OSC Wise conducted monitoring for VOCs on the rip-rap field under the northern abutment of the Morena Blvd. bridge using a TVA-1000 FID/PID combination unit.  The ambient concentrations for total VOCs (PID/FID combined) were less then  1.5 ppm.  Concentrations between the rip-rap was also less then 1.5 ppm.  OSC Wise also conducted monitoring on the northern side  of the river in areas B,C,D and E and found VOC concentration to be less then 10 ppm.

Water results showing a small amount of TPH in the river samples.  No VOCs detected.  TPH concentrations less then 200 ug/l in spill area.  Upstream concentrations of TPH at approximately 140 ug/l.

2.1.1 Narrative

On May 13, 2016, a tanker truck containing 3700 gallons of diesel crashed releasing diesel in the San Diego River and Flood Plain.  The Responsible Party, the SOCO Group has initiated a response action to remove the diesel from all impacted areas under a Unified Command.  The USEPA  Spill Phone duty officer (DO) was notified of the spill by the National Response Center.  The DO negotiated with the USCG to provide an on-site Federal presence until an USEPA Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC) could be deployed.  The DO deployed FOSC R. Wise on the morning of May 14, 2016 to respond to the spill.  The SOCO Group has set up a hotline for the spill.  The number is:  760-795-5383.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

May 23, 2016

OSC Wise on-site.  SOCO continuing to remove soil from Area A.  OSC Wise demobilized from the site.  The IAPs from the entire site are posted on the documents section.  Site activities for this week can be viewed there.  OSC Wise did not remobilize to the site the remainder of this week due to his mobilization to another emergency response.

May 30, 2016

OSC Wise on-site to conduct final walk through.  All areas backfilled. No visible sheen on the river.  No further action required by EPA at this time. 

 2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

On May 17, 2016, OSC Wise issued a NOFI to the SOCO Group.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

NA

2.5.1 Safety Officer

NRC Environmental Services

2.5.2 Liaison Officer

The SOCO Group

2.5.3 Information Officer

The SOCO Group

3.1 Unified Command

FOSC: USEPA

SOSC:  CADFW - OSPR

3.2 Cooperating Agencies

USCG, CHP, SDRC, SDRWQCB; USACE; Pima Co. Solid Waste; MTS; SDPD; SDSW; and SDPW.  The SDCoEH VAP will the lead agency for any long-term remedial issues.

bgs:  below ground surface 

CADFW:  California Department of Fish and Wildlife 

CALTRANS:  California Department of  Transportation 

CHP:  California Highway Patrol 

FID:  Flame Ionization Detector

FOSC: Federal On-Scene Coordinator 

FPN:  Federal Pollution Number 

MTS:  Metropolitan Transport System 

NOFI:  Notice of Federal Interest 

NGO:  Non-Government Officials

NRC:  NRC Environmental Services 

OSPR:  Office of Spill Prevention and Response

PID:  Photoionization Detector

RP:  Responsible Party

SDCoEH:  San Diego Co. Environmental Health

SDFD:  San Diego Fire Department

SDG&E:  San Diego Gas and Electric 

SDPD:  San Diego Police Department

SDSW:  San Diego Storm Water

SOSC:  State On-Scene Coordinator 

UC: Unified Command

USACE:  U.S. Army Corp of Engineers

USCG:  U.S. Coast Guard

USEPA: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

USFWS:  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services

VAP:  Voluntary Assistance Program

VOC:  Volatile Organic Compounds

6.1 Internet location of additional information/report

 epaosc.org/Morena-I8_Spill