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Joe's Creek Well Site

All POLREP's for this site Joe's Creek Well Site
Tango, WV - EPA Region III
POLREP #2 - Increase of Ceiling, Initiation of Well Plugging
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On-Scene Coordinator - Robert Kelly 12/2/2004
Pollution Report (POLREP) #2
Site Description
Site consists of one abandoned oil well that is leaking into Joe's Creek which leads into Trace Creek into Kanawha River.

Initial actions taken at the Site was to provide temporary containment and to conduct deed and title searches.


Current Activities
a.  OSC Kelly has received the deed and title searches conducted by the State of West Virginia.  This deed search has identified a surface owner and the OSC has sent a Access form to this surface owner to allow EPA and their contractors access to observe State plugging operations.
b. Based on verbal conversations with the National Pollution Fund Center Case Officer, the OSC will be issuing a Notice of Federal Interest to the surface owners.  However, due to the well actively leaking into Joe's Creek,  the OSC has issued an increase to funding in the amount of $44,500 to the State to begin immediate plugging operations.  This will bring the total ceiling amount for E04319 to $50,000.
c.  The OSC will be sending the NPFC Case Officer (Mr. Freddie Thompson) the assignment summary, mineral tract summary, surface deed summary, surface owner access for state to conduct plugging operations and deed for their review.


Planned Removal Actions
Plugging operations will begin on this date on the subject well.

Next Steps
a.  OSC will continue to coordinate with the State and oversee the proper plugging of this well.
b.  OSC will issue an amendment to START contractor to provide site documentation and photo documentation of all activities on the Site and submit a after action report.


Key Issues
Oil being released into the waters of West Virginia.