On December 14th, 2007 OSC Sonja Vega was contacted by the U.S. Coast Guard (U.S.C.G) regarding a sunken recreational vessel and requested U.S. EPA assistance. The U.S.C.G. agreed to look further into the incident, but later determined that it was outside their jurisdiction. At approximately 1300 hours on December 17th, U.S. EPA OSC Craig Thomas was contacted by OSC Sonja Vega regarding the vessel.
The Vessel is an approximately 100' long house boat, which has partially sunk on the Mississippi , between mile markers 811.5 and 811.6, in Washington County, Minnesota (also near Prescott, Wisconsin). On board, there is a 100 gallon vegetable oil tank, two 60 gallon vegetable oil tanks, seven 55-gallon drums of home heating oil, and approximately 12 gallons of lube oil in the engine. To date, the materials have not released to the Missisippi.
The U.S.C.G. served the owner of the vessel with a Notice of Federal Interest on December 15th. However, the U.S.C.G. indicated that the owner has no funds available to address the potential release. The U.S.C.G. indicated they have no jurisdictional authority, as the vessel is a recreational vessel. Therefore, U.S. EPA must take the lead.
The U.S.C.G indicated that there was significant media interest. An article appeared in the Pioneer Press; the U.S.C.G was also contacted by the local news channel (Channel 11) and the Prescott Journal.
U.S. EPA OSC Craig Thomas is being dispatched to the incident. The oil fund has been opened and a BOA contractor has been hired. U.S. EPA will attempt to remove the oils from the tanks and drums to prevent a release.
