On 2/6/2012, Caldwell County EMA discovered diesel fuel in Lower Creek (a tributary of the Catawba River) in Lenoir, NC. Approximately 1.5 miles of creek had been impacted and the local FD began responding by booming several points along the waterway. Caldwell EMA determined that the spill originally occurred on Saturday (2/4/2012) from a demolition site, and had to compel the RP (Applied Abatement Demolition & Trucking) to hire a response contractor. The original discharge quantity was estimated at 1500 gallons and product was breaking through the only available sorbent boom. EPA dispatched R1 OSC Garrard to assist local responders and oversee activities. Upon arrival, OSC Garrard discovered that the ruptured diesel tank was 500 gallons, vac trucks are being utilized to collect recovered diesel fuel, and hard river boom had been deployed into Lower Creek. Response contractor, STAT, remained through the night to conduct recovery operations. Activities on 2/7/2012 will include installation of additional river boom and investigation of an oil seep on the bank of an unnamed tributary.
