On 28 April 2005 at approximately 09:30 EDT, a highway tanker ran off of GA Highway 75 and overturned down an embankment onto the National Forest impacting headwaters to the Hiawassee River. The tanker contained 9200 gallons of gasoline, on- and off-road diesel fuel. Approximately 800 gallons of gasoline was transferred from the wrecked tanker into a sound tanker. The rest of the product was discharged to the environment. Some oil ran overland to streams, some seeped into the soil and was observed weeping out into several springs within 100 yards of the impact site.
During the last year, EPA OSC Jardine, GA EPD SOSC Springer, USDA Forest Service personnel, the RPs consultant, and response contractors have periodically visited the site to monitor progress.
The response contractor has made routine visits to replace absorbent pads and maintain oil collection systems. The consultant, S&ME, has continued with analytical sampling of stream, soil, and ground water media to determine the success of engineered remediation techniques and the attenuating effects of nature.
All observations indicate that the impact due to the oil is increasingly insignificant.
On 09MAY06 representatives from the RP (Explorer Transport), S&ME, EPA, GA EPD, and the USDA Forest Service convened on Site to discuss the accomplishments, status, and future of the Site. EPA and GA EPD expressed concern regarding the potential for oil to resume weeping from the seeps and springs after Spring rain events. The Forest Service is concerned for the restoration of the ecology with special emphasis on minimizing erosion.
Removal activity includes monitoring and restoration.
All parties intend to continue periodic monitoring until October 2006. Should oil impact remain insignificant, the Forest Service advises that October - November is the optimal time period to decommission the underflow dams, close the wells, dismantle the temporary haul routes, and reestablish vegetation and stream flow.
The RP intends to dispose of any oil-impacted soil and return the stream profile using large sized native rock
The RP has committed to working closely with the US Forest Service to return the Site to natural condition and specification.
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