On Jan. 29, Norfolk Southern (NS) reported a discharge of diesel fuel near Georgetown, KY to the National Response Center (NRC# 711843). On Jan. 30, OSC Smith and START responded to the scene of the discharge at the request of the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection (KYDEP). Upon further investigation, it was discovered that up to 3,500 gallons of product was released due to a broken fuel line. Approximately 1,400 gallons of fuel was lost and spread over 15 miles of track before the leak was identified by the train crew. Of the remaining volume, about 1,600 gallons was lost into the track ballast over a 200 foot section of the track where the train stopped, while a cleanup contractor hired by NS (The Evergreen Group) recovered up to 500 gallons of diesel from the locomotive fuel tank.
The oil discharge threatened navigable waters as the spilled product could enter Royal Spring via overland runoff into sinkholes observed within close proximity to the spill site. Royal Spring connects to North Elkhorn Creek, which discharges to the Kentucky River. The OSC responded to this incident based on KYDEP concerns that the spill threatened Royal Spring.
Attempts to recover the remaining oil product trapped in the the track ballast using conventional means (vacuum trucks, booms and adsorbent pads) have been unsuccessful. Proposed application of an oil spill control agent has been rejected by EPA and KYDEP (see "Key Steps" below). The RP (Norfolk Southern RR) has elected to bioremediate any remaining product via natural attenuation.
The release is within the recharge area for Royal Spring, which forms the water supply for the City of Georgetown, KY. The Georgetown Municipal Water & Sewer Service initially shut down the water intake on Jan. 29, as a precaution. However, visual observation and analytical results collected to date have shown no indication of petroleum product associated with this incident in Royal Spring.
The OSC considers the oil removal action to be complete, pursuant to 40 CFR 300.320(b). Any additional monitoring and/or cleanup activities required will be at the direction of KYDEP Superfund Branch, Non-UST Petroleum Cleanup Program.
On Feb. 3, OSC Smith convened the Region 4 Regional Response Team (RRT) by conference call to discuss proposed oil spill countermeasures for this release. Parties to this call included EPA, USCG, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and KYDEP. The RP (Norfolk Southern RR) originally submitted a proposal to use an application to bioremediate the diesel fuel product trapped in the track ballast. However, the material under consideration is registered as a "surface washing agent" on the NCP Product Schedule. The properties of this material are such that an application may serve to mobilize oil product, which isn't recommended in this case. The issue became a moot point when the RP withdrew the proposal from consideration.
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