Site Description
On November 3rd, 2006, an Puget Sound Energy (PSE) generator was mechanically overfilled by the three 12,000 gallon underground storage tanks (UST’s). At first estimate, 18,000 gallons of diesel fuel spilled onto the generator pad and downhill towards a drainage ditch which flows under Crystal Mountain Drive to Silver Creek. The ditch was mostly clogged and the diesel fuel spilled down an access road close to ¼ of a mile in distance.
The majority of the fuel is believed to be trapped in the area of the generator. Temporary measures have been put in place to minimize the fuel moving offsite towards silver creek via drainage ditches. This has been accomplished with a series of trenches dug with absorbent materials placed in them and also an underflow dam constructed of PVC pipes and an earthen dam.
PSE has a contract for emergency response with Geo Engineers (Geo) and they are on-scene. NRC Environmental Services (NRCES) has also been contracted to provide spill clean-up measures.
Current Activities
• The Incident Command system was put into effect and a Unified Command was formed. The unified command is formed from representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ecology and Environment (START-3), Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE), PSE, GEO, NRCES, and Crystal Mountain Ski Resort.
• Exploratory operations have been conducted to by PSE, GEO, and NRCES in an attempt to locate where the diesel fuel has migrated offsite from the generator station. The methods that have been used are trenching with heavy equipment, for exploration and as defensive measure, and pot holing with vacuum trucks and light equipment, for exploration.
• The residents down stream of Silver Creek who are on well systems and direct feed have been notified to drink bottled water, which has been provided by the RP PSE. There are 164 residences, only 4 are in the area, & 1 accepted the bottled water. Residents are of a seasonal nature & most are not in the area.
• NRCES has recovered 1534 gallons of diesel fuel and 13212 gallons of oily water. NRCES estimates that 300 – 400 gallons of diesel product has been recovered in absorbent pads and boom.
• Due to weather conditions the line supplied power was disrupted and permission was granted for PSE to re-energize the generator to restore power to the crystal mountain.
• Operations will only be conducted during daylight for the remainder of the project due to safety concerns. Night operations will continue only to maintain pads and boom equipment, & monitor for leaks into Silver Creek.
• Continuing to observe and document contractors as they conduct operations.
• Continuing to work on sampling plan for Silver Creek & White River.
• Continuing to liaison with local & state health organizations.
• Operate generator and manage site security.
Planned Removal Actions
NEXT Operational Period:
• A Sampling Plan will be completed and put into action to determine the amount of soil that is contaminated. Soil removal will begin as soon as contaminations are delineated.
• Bottled water will be delivered by PSE to the residents downstream of Silver Creek.
• Keep removing/collecting fuel from substation site. Contain and collect fuel. Change absorbents.
• Place additional trench along Crystal Mountain Blvd and access road.
• Place waste in proper bins & tranport liquid waste off site for disposal.
• Monitor creek for any additional weeps.
Next Steps
• Transition Command Post to nearby lot F for staging.
• Implement Surface Water/Drinking Water sampling plans.
• Develop long term remedation plan
Key Issues
• Locating and recovering the missing volume of diesel fuel and minimize its environmental impact.
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