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 continues to threaten 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 continue at the spill site to recover oil product using conventional means (vacuum trucks, booms and adsorbent pads). To date, approximately 1,000 gallons of product has been collected within a culvert beneath the railroad tracks where the majority of the spilled material is accumulating. A trench has been excavated at the base of the railroad embankment to intercept any free product before it gets to a sinkhole. However, current concerns involve the inability to recover the remaining estimated 600 gallons of oil product via positive drainage through the track ballast.
Daily monitoring and recovery at spill site and at the Royal Spring water intake through the current reporting period.
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) 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, which may not be the optimal approach for this situation. RRT 4 is withholding approval of the RP's request, pending further technical evaluation and recommendations by EPA ERT and NOAA's Scientific Support Coordinator.
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.
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