On August 5, 2007, a local citizen notified the National Response Center (NRC) of an oil spill near TALCO, Texas (NRC #844521). The citizen reported that the oil had reached a nearby stream and could potentially impact a nearby wetlands. The stream is locally referred to as Edwards Creek, and flows into a nearby wooded marshland locally known as the Edwards Bottom which flows into an intermittent creek which flows into the White Oak Creek which flows into the Sulphur River which flows into Red River. The land is heavily vegetated with trees and brush and is used for hunting wild game, such as deer. According to the leasee of the land where the wooded marshland is located, during a heavy rainfall event, rainwater flows from the impacted stream to the wooded marshland and continues to flow downstream of the marshland. The leaser also estimated that the stream which was impacted by the spill contains water approximately 6 months out of the year. The PRP is ExxonMobil and they have estimated the spill volume to be approximately 650 barrels of salt water and 15 to 20 barrels of crude oil.
EPA START-3 contractors continued their observation of activities on Saturday August 11th, 2007. One Vacuum Truck, one Bull-dozer, two backhoes, one 30cu yard Roll-off box and two 16ft flat bed trailers were onsite. ExxonMobil personnel and contractors continued recovering oily debris and brush/vegetation along the banks of the creek. Oil-affected soil/sediments were removed from the creek using shovels and a backhoe. Loose debris and vegetation was moved to a lined roll-off box and staged pending disposal. Previously stockpiled oiled debris was transported to the temporary bermed containment units. As of 1500hrs on August 11, 2007, ExxonMobil reported that approximately 1750 barrels of oil/water mix was returned to their process system. The oil/water mix quantity total includes fresh water used to wash the banks of the creek. This number is now not speculated to rise as pressure washing activities have ceased due to completion.
Exxon plans to continue their cleanup activities. As of 1500hrs activities scheduled for tomorrow (08/12/2007) are set to remain targeting oily debris/brush along the creek banks and patches of contaminated sediments that were missed during the pressure washing activities. At the wetlands location Exxon personnel and contractors will continue to "flag" isolated oil patches and recover any remaining oil-affected debris/soil utilizing a backhoe.
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