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Ohio River Wells

All POLREP's for this site Ohio River Wells
St. Marys, WV - EPA Region III
POLREP #3 - Oil Response
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On-Scene Coordinator - Robert Kelly 7/6/2004
Emergency Pollution Report (POLREP) #3
Start Date: 3/11/2004
Site Description
Site encompasses 4 wells along the banks of the Ohio River in St. Marys, Pleasants County, WV.

Current Activities
a.  Through a joint continuing effort, EPA and WVDEP have conducted a PRP search for the abandonment of the four leaking wells.  WVDEP has notified a PRP concerning the abandonment of two of the four wells, and the PRP has denied responsibility.  EPA is continuing an investigation for a PRP for the remaining two wells.
b.  On March 12, 2004, WVDEP and its contractor conducted temporary remediation activities at two of the four well locations.
c.  Under the direction of EPA, WVDEP and its plugging contractor mobilized to the site during the week of June 21, 2004, and commenced site building on well #4.  Well #4 was plugged on June 24, 2004, and reclamation at the location was completed.
d.  WVDEP and the contractor began site building on well #3 on June 23, 2004.  Plugging operations continued at well #3 through June 25, 2004.
e.  Under the direction of OSC Kelly, START perioically visited the site during the week of June 21, 2004, to monitor WVDEP and the plugging contractor's activities.  START conducted photographic and written documentation of site activities.
f.  Also under the direction of OSC Kelly, START continues a search for PRPs for the abandonment of these four wells.  


Planned Removal Actions
Removal actions at the site will continue at the site to include plugging operations at three of the remaining unplugged wells to prevent oil discharge of the wells into the Ohio River.

Next Steps
The WVDEP and its plugging contractor will continue plugging operations at the location of wells #3, #2, and #1.  Plugging and remediation activities have been completed at the location of well #4.

Key Issues
There is a threat of release of oil from three of the four unplugged wells identified under this FPN into the navigable waters of West Virginia.