On April 8, EPA received a notification from South Bow that a
pipeline break has occurred near Fort Ransom, North Dakota. EPA deployed an
on-scene coordinator to the spill location on April 8, 2025. On April 9, the
OSC met with South Bow and the North Dakota Department of Environment to conduct an assessment. EPA has been coordinating with local and state responders, South
Bow, and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
South Bow estimates
3,500 barrels of crude oil were released. During the assessment it was determined that the oil is currently
contained in a field with an earthen berm. The EPA OSC has determined that
there is not a substantial threat to Waters of the US (WOTUS) at this time and therefore EPA does not have response authority under the Clean Water Act.
South Bow is mobilizing resources to remove the crude oil and impacted
soils and has implemented wildlife hazing tactics to minimize impacts to
waterfowl.
