On February 26, 2007, Benson-Montin-Greer Drilling (BMG) reported an estimated 200-barrel (bbl) crude oil spill to the National Response Center (827552). The spill is located in a remote area in northern New Mexico within the Santa Fe National Forest in Rio Arriba County. The oil spill occurred when a buried, BMG 4-inch crude oil gathering pipeline began leaking underneath the bank of Arroyo Puerto Chiquito, then discharged directly into the arroyo. Arroyo Puerto Chiquito is a tributary of Rio Chama, which flows into the Rio Grande.
On March 19, 2007, EPA OSC Franklin and START contractors remobilized to the site to conduct a follow-up tour. EPA observed two trackhoe excavators and six dump trucks working on the top end of the spill pathway. Ten BMG contractors were also observed removing contaminated vegetation from the end of the spill pathway utilizing power weed trimmers and rakes. Since EPA demobilized March 11 2007, BMG has made substantive progress on removal of free oil and oiled vegetation. BMG has completed improvements to the USFS roads used for site entrance and egress. Notably, culverts were placed in the lower arroyo crossing. In addition, the distal end boom locations appeared to have been properly maintained. EPA did not observe a significant sheen downstream of last boom location.
On March 20, 2007, BMG workers continued to remove contaminated vegetation along the spill pathway. Workers also continued to improve the dirt roads leading to the site. EPA met with a RP representative and discussed the need to fully remove the cut vegetation and to conduct another soil washing.
On March 21 2007, BMG completed the removal of contaminated vegetation on the National Forest section of the spill pathway. In addition, BMG conducted a final high volume, low pressure soil washing on the upper section of the spill. EPA discussed with the OSRO contractor the need to ensure the waste accumulated from cleanup activities is properly disposed and copies of the waste profiles and manifests are submitted to the EPA.
EPA met with USFS representatives including the Forest Service soil scientist to discuss progress to date, present concerns, and long term remediation plans for the area. USFS representatives were satisfied with the remediation efforts on the USFS land. The representatives discussed with a BMG Supervisor the need to strengthen the upper underflow dam and to develop a timetable for when the boom and dam locations will be removed.
EPA also met with BMG contractor Animas Environmental Services from Farmington, NM to discuss planned placement of ground monitoring wells to determine depth and extent of contamination in the arroyo and its banks. The wells will be placed both in the area of the current spill pathway and in areas impacted by previous spills. Animas Environmental submitted a workplan specifying the design, depth and location of the well sites for review by the involved parties. Animas Environmental is also helping BMG update their SPCC plans.
EPA and USFS has requested that BMG submit a long-term remediation plan for the site. The plan will include schedules for the maintenance and eventual removal of current boom locations and underflow dams, and continued efforts to remove pockets of oil as they accumulate.
EPA has advised BMG to continue to work with their archeological consultant, and to insure all work will be conducted in an area restricted to a 100-foot radius of the arroyo to prevent damage to any potential historical sites in the area.
EPA will continue to advise and coordinate with BMG representatives, the USFS, USFW, and archeological consultants to ensure timely and appropriate cleanup actions in the sensitive area. At the request of the EPA OSC, the USFS will provide regular site visits to assist with oversight. Also the USFW Service previously requested a Pollution Removal Funding Authorization (PRFA) be issued to USFS for their assistance to the OSC.
A crude oil spill discharged in a wetland type of arroyo, which flows to the Chama River and through the Jicarilla Apache Reservation. The spill is one of three spills from the same pipeline into the same arroyo. BMG work has previously been slow and often inefficient. However, lack of readily obtainable resources, as well as melting ice, snow and muddy conditions have also made response efforts difficult.
The site is located in a wetland area that appears to be teeming with wildlife (elk, bear, coyotes, rabbits, birds, etc.). The area is known for having an abundance of archeological sites.
The USFS has concerns about removal of arroyo soils (and vegetation) which are very sensitive and are not easily replaced through natural processes.
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