NRC #1213864, Chevron Station Oil Spill, Helen, White County, GA
On the afternoon of May 31, a Chevron Gas Station in Helen, GA attempted to receive a load of fuel, and the truck driver noticed that water/fuel was bubbling from the underground storage tanks fill pipe. The truck driver did not offload fuel and called EMA Director to let him know of the situation. The station estimated that they had 700 gallons of fuel remaining in the tank. Due to heavy rains in the area, the station’s parking lot flooded and the EMA Director observed some sheening in the area. The gas station is 100 yds from the Chattahoochee River. White County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director called the National Response Center and requested to talk to EPA’s Phone Duty Officer. The EMA Director stated that they expected a couple of intense rain events through the night and he was not sure if the situation will change. Phone Duty Officer had a brief conversation with the responsible party, and he did not have experience with oil spills, but was willing to hire an environmental contractor. Based on the threat to the Chattahoochee River, EPA R4’s Phone Duty Officer dispatched On-Scene Coordinator Kevin Eichinger to conduct an assessment. Phone Duty Officer coordinated with GAEPD Duty Officer, and GAEPD provided to EPA a list of environmental contractors.
During the early morning of June 1st, OSC Eichinger met with the responsible party and assessed the gas station. He conducted air monitoring and did not find air levels above explosive limits or health based standards. The majority of the water had receded at the gas station, and the OSC did not observe any oil stains surrounding the gas station. OSC Eichinger assessed several areas downstream on the Chattahoochee River and did not see evidence of sheen or pockets of oil. The Chattahoochee River was moving swiftly and any fuel that impacted the river would have been quickly dispersed. Based on the OSC’s assessment, the responsible party has shut down all fuel pumps and has contacted the company that conducts pressure testing of its underground storage tanks. The responsible party will have to remove all fuel/water from the tanks and conduct an assessment of the tanks before putting them back in service. OSC Eichinger will coordinate with GA EPD to ensure a Leaking Underground Storage Program inspector is alerted and follows up with an inspection. OSC Eichinger will do final coordination with the EMA director before demobilizing from the Site this morning.
