United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region X
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

On 20 Sep 06, an Associated Petroleum Products (APP) fuel truck slid off the road and over an embankment at Howard Hanson Dam.  Incident resulted in the release of approximately 600 gallons of #2 diesel fuel into the soil.  The tanker truck has been removed from site.

Initial soil analysis predicted that the fuel would quickly move vertically through the soil until it reached the water table.  

This fuel has traveled from the spill site to the reservoir shore. Temporary measures have been put in place to minimize the fuel impact to the water. This has been accomplished with a series of trenches dug with absorbent materials placed in them and also a combination of oil only absorbents and rigid containment boom.

• The water infiltration pilot test was completed on Tuesday (October 24). The last groundwater sample was collected Monday October 30. Draft results indicate that an increase in dissolved phase TPH was observed during the test, with a maximum TPHD detection on the last day at 48 mg/L. BTEX was below drinking water criteria. No product was detected in the extraction wells during the test.  
• Water levels are rising rapidly due to the heavy rains. Most recent estimate is that water level will reach 1160 feet tonight.  This elevation is approximately the base of the access road.
• Site access is closed due to mudslides on the road. However, USACE has two staff up at the dam today who will monitor and notify Kym Takasaki if sheen is observed. Sheen monitoring for the duration of access closure will be conducted, as staffing is available. Due to high turbidity at the intake, sheen observations cannot be conducted at this location at this time.
• Because of the high turbidity at the intake and loss of power at the groundwater well field, drinking water is currently being pulled from stored sources. TPU has indicated that slides have exposed 40 feet of the water main.
• Whatcom and TPU have coordinated responsibility for future sheen and boom monitoring once the site is accessible.  TPU will be responsible for the monitoring for sheen, boom, and product in wells on a daily basis and will notify Whatcom if sheen is observed. Whatcom would then coordinate an action, as needed. If TPU can no longer perform this monitoring, Whatcom will take over the responsibility.

• A draft report on the water infiltration test will be provided to USACE, EPA, and Ecology by November 9.
• Updates on observations of sheen will be provided to team if they occur.

• Pending receipt of the water treatment report, USACE will set up a call November 17 to discuss results, path forward, and update on status of site based on flooding. Please indicate if you can be available for this call and I will set up a call line.

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