As reported in previous POLREPs.
The photo at left shows the spill site tundra restoration effort progress as of Aug 22.
Current weather conditions: daytime highs are 40-50's F, mostly cloudy with dense fog, and east winds 10 to 15 mph. North Slope temperatures are beginning to fall to or below freezing at night with summer conditions transitioning to fall / winter conditions again.
All planned cleanup operations have been completed. Backfilling the land areas trimmed of contaminated ice and tundra with replacement tundra and organic material was completed on April 29, 2006. All cleanup confirmation samples collected during the residual oil trimming operation showed results below applicable State of Alaska cleanup standards. New tundra material was fertilized and watered during the summer months. BP's tundra restoration consultant reports that the project is off to a good start with a wide diversity of vegetation species being observed. Booms placed along the lake front and wildlife exclusion fences are being removed prior to freeze up. No additional sheening has been observed / reported this summer since minor amounts were detected and removed during break-up.
The leaking pipeline has been repaired via a welded sleeve but is not back in service. BP continues to take actions to determine the integrity of the pipeline as per a Corrective Action Order issued by DOT Pipeline Safety & Hazardous Materials Administration, PSHMA. Due to discoveries this summer and a subsequent similar spill in the Eastern Operating Area of BP's Prudhoe Bay field, the entire transit line will be replaced this winter.
All planned cleanup operations have been completed and final.
The site will undergo visual monitoring next year, May 07, as springtime break-up occurs and throughout the summer, with potential oil sheening, the integrity and re-growth of the back filled tundra, and wildlife access prevention being primary concerns.
A cost documentation package will be submitted to the USCG NPFC for recovery of OSLTF dollars spent in the oversight of this response
The integrity of transit pipelines in the BP Prudhoe bay oilfield continues to be scrutinized by federal and state regulators. EPA will continue to coordinate with the involved parties to address prevention of future transit line spills.
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