See Initial POLREP.
As of February 23, 2009, Sunoco began to decrease the the number of collection and boom deployment locations from fifteen to seven. In response to the slightly warmer weather and Thermal Bank Remediation (TBR) activities, additional pockets of crude oil was introduced into the waterway. TBR efforts are continuing along Rocky Ford River and the Middle Branch Portage River. Approximately 5,000 feet of river bank has been thermally remediated by sixteen (16) teams involving approximately 100 people.
Soil Remediation Activities: Approximately 1,000 feet of tile that transported the oil (south to north) from the pipeline leak to the storm drain along Tank Farm Road has been excavated and removed. While excavation the south tom north tile, a separate clay tile was broken. The product released had a distinct gasoline odor. After the initial release, LEL readings were 3% in the tile. One side of the tile has been sealed. The other end is draining into the excavation trench. Product and water is being monitored and vacuumed out as needed. In addition, 250 feet of tile running west to east has also been excavated and removed. A third tile connecting to the west-east tile is currently being excavated. Five (5) piezometers have been installed in the remediated area to monitor for the presence and/or migration of any subsurface oil.
On February 24, 2009, Mid-Valley Pipeline continued to operate under an Incident Management Team structure to coordinate and conduct the response actions for the pipeline break. The initial response areas, which were designated as divisions (A-E), were reorganized to more effectively manage the booms and the recovery of oil. Booming has been reconfigured to include 10 collection points on the Rocky Ford River and Middle Branch Portage River. START continues to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of booming strategies in order to ensure the recovery of pooled oil. As a result of the warmer weather and snow melt, free product has been observed in the Rocky Ford and on the Middle Branch Portage River. Sheen has been observed as far north as Pemberville, Ohio.
Continued investigation into the source of the oil found in the sump pump of a resident near the pipeline leak indicates that the oil is not related to the spill. Fingerprint analytical results of the oil confirmed that the oil discovered in a neighboring resident's basement sump was not related to the oil released from the Sunoco site. Information from local residents and ODNR is that this has been a historical issue. Representatives of the Ohio EPA, Sunoco, and Wood County EMA met with the homeowner to discuss the results of the fingerprint analysis and to report the termination of oil recovery efforts from the homeowner's sump. Information was also provided to the homeowner for addressing the issue.
START personnel conducted oversight of night operations. The night operations included boom inspection/maintenance, due to ice flows, and oil recovery. A recovery crew utilized an excavator to scrape off oil contaminated soil/vegetation. A recovery crew also conducted vac-truck operations to remove accumulated oil from the underflow dam constructed along Tank Farm Road.
Sunoco received approval to dispose of its contaminated soil at Northwood facility, operated by Waste Management in Toledo, OH.
-- Twenty-four hour recovery operations will continue.
-- Continue thermal bank remediation of impacted river banks.
-- Continue excavation of grossly contaminated shoreline.
-- Continue decontamination of the skirted boom after bank remediation and replace in locations with noticeable oil accumulation.
-- Continue surveillance and maintenance of boom.
In preparation for the warmer weather and forecasted rain event, Sunoco has constructed 3 underflow dams and has deployed additional boom along the Rock Ford River and Middle Branch Portage River. Additional equipment and personnel are also on standby to respond as needed in the upcoming days.
Wood County EMA contacted the USEPA, OEPA, and Sunoco personnel regarding wildlife concern. A citizen observed five Canadian Geese "posturing" in Pemberville. This type of behavior is unusual at this time of year. Sunoco will work with Entrix to evaluate the wildlife. An action plan will be developed based on the evaluation.
|
