See Initial POLREP.
As of February 19, 2009, Mid-Valley Pipeline has established a full Incident Management Team to coordinate and conduct the response actions for the pipeline break. The response area has been divided into five divisions (A-E) to manage boom and the recovery of oil. USCG and START are assessing the 15 collection points on the Rocky Ford River and Middle Branch Portage River to evaluate the effectiveness of booming strategies and to ensure the recovery of pooled oil. Helicopter overflights of the spill area have identified significant river bank contamination with oil along most of the Rocky Ford River and a portion of the Middle Branch Portage River. Free product is only visible in the Rocky Ford and sheen is visible on the Middle Branch Portage River until south of Pemberville, Ohio. Air monitoring at all collection areas have not detected any readings above background. Recovery operations will be conducted 24 hours a day. USCG and START will conduct oversight of night operations.
Two routes of entry of oil into the Rocky Ford River have been identified. One point source is located directly south of the leak. Oil migrated west across the field and entered a drainage tile system that discharged into the river. The second point source is a storm sewer outfall on the east bank of Rocky Ford just south of Tank Farm Road. Oil traveled along the surface of the field and entered a field tile or drain that discharged to the storm sewer.
Examination of excavated pipe identified the release point as being a 1/16 inch crack on the top of the pipe. The cause of the crack is as yet unknown.
On February 20, 2009, Mid-Valley Pipeline continued the containment and recovery efforts of the crude oil on the Rocky Ford River and Middle Branch Portage River. Free product was still observed on the Rocky Ford and sheen was still visible on the Middle Branch Portage River as far north as Portage Road. Due to the buildup, and flow, of ice downriver during the night of February 19, 2009, Mid Valley will attempt to install a fence upstream of the boom locations to catch and contain the ice to prevent its build up and compromising of skirted boom containment. Ice will then be removed using excavators. As of noon, Mid Valley was reporting that a total of 650 barrels (~27,000 gallons) had been recovered from the river and interceptor trenches combined.
Mid-Valley Pipeline continues to excavate drainage lines and field tiles around the pipeline leak to eliminate any additional routes of migration of oil into Rocky Ford River. Interceptor trenches were excavated at both of the point sources and oil is being recovered from both locations.
The PRP contractor conducted a wildlife assessment in consultation with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and has not identified any impacted wildlife to date.
Excavation of contaminated surface soils around the leak site began. Soil is being piled in windrows for loading and off-site disposl.
Samples collected from the City of Cygnet water wells (2) and well heads (3), which were analyzed by EPA Methods 8260 and 8270, were all non-detect for analyzed parameters which included the constituents of the the crude oil including: benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene and trimethylbenzene.
A press conference was held to provide information and updates of the response efforts. Mid-Valley Pipeline, USEPA,Ohio EPA, USCG, Wood County EMA and Wood County Sheriff were present to answer questions.
USCG and START conducted oversight of night operations. The night operations included boom maintenance, due to ice flows, and oil recovery.
On February 21, 2009, Mid-Valley Pipeline continued the containment and recovery efforts of the crude oil on the Rocky Ford River and Middle Branch Portage River. Free product still was observed on the Rocky Ford and sheen was till visible on the Middle Branch Portage River as far north as Portage Road.
An additional interceptor trench was excavated along a field tile just south of Tank Farm Road that drained into the second point source.
Mid-Valley tested a method for thermal bank remediation. Test heating of the areas that showed visible oil staining along the river banks seemed effective. The method will be used beginning February 22, 2009 at the first point point source and move downstream to mitigate oil staining of river banks.
Heavy ice accumulation at a log jam broke loose and a slug of water, ice and debris began moving downstream breaking loose containment boom at the Jerry City location on the Rocky Ford River. The river level and flow have increased significantly and are threatening all downstream containment locations. USCG has been notified as well as the Ottawa City Water intake. Mid-Valley stationed equipment and personnel at Oak Harbour in order to deploy protective boom at and around the water intake should the increased flow of oil, ice and debris bypass remaining containment measures. Attempts to coral ice and deploy a fence to contain ice was discontinued due to safety concerns.
-- Twenty-four hour recovery operations will continue.
-- Prepare for thermal bank remediation of impacted river banks beginning at leak location and moving downstream.
-- Begin decontamination of the skirted boom after bank remediation and replace in locations with noticeable oil accumulation.
-- Continue surveillance and maintenance of boom.
Cold weather, snow melt/rain, high water and ice formation behind skirted boom continues to pose challenges to oil collection.
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