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 Wednesday August 15th, 2007. One Bull-dozer, two backhoes and one 30cu yard Roll-off box are onsite. ExxonMobil personnel and contractors continued to recover oily debris/soil from within the creek channel utilizing shovels. Exxon continued to utilize a backhoe in removing the remaining oil-affected debris/soil. Currently, all remedial actions at the site have been ceased, pending a site inspection from the USEPA FOSC. An inspection by the USEPA FOSC will occur during the week of August 27-31, 2007.
Site inspection will occur during the week of August 27-31, 2007. Until that time, dams that were constructed to contain the spill will remain in place seperating the water from the wetlands and excavted areas. Excavations that significantly altered the channel depth will also remain open until the inspection has been completed. Both the dam and channel depth will be returned to a natural state tentatively following the inspection.
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