1.1.1 Incident Category
Oil Spill Response & Removal Assessment

1.1.2 Site Description
The site is comprised of an agricultural and industrial property with a 3,000 gallon above ground storage tank (AST) estimated to have held approximately 2,200 gallons of used oil, of which an estimated 1,500 gallons was released.  The released oil flowed overland to a nearby stormwater drain and then through a series of open irrigation ditches and culverts that drain into Sulphur Creek and then into the Yakima River.  The irrigation ditches flow through residential, industrial, and agricultural areas, some of which may use this water for irrigation or drinking water purposes. 

1.1.2.1 Location
The release location is at 2330 Outlook Road, in Sunnyside, Yakima County, Washington. 

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Used oil discharged through a broken sight-glass on the 3,000-gallon AST, releasing approximately 1,500 gallons. Though the tank release point has been secured, the oil has impacted a stormwater drain, which discharges into an irrigation ditch along Yakima Valley Highway, then into the Sulphur Creek, and the Yakima River.  Both Sulphur Creek and the Yakima River are considered Waters of the United States and has active fisheries and hatcheries, of which the Yakima Nation Prosser Hatchery is the closest, approximately 8 miles downstream from the point of release.  Oil sheen was observed in the vicinity of the hatchery.

Resources at Risk:
Habitat Concerns:  Islands, sloughs and wetlands provide critical resting and feeding areas for wildlife and serve as important rearing areas for resident fish.  Various deep and shallow water river habitats support freshwater fish including species important to sport fishery such as trout, bass, crappie, and catfish. Additionally, numerous other small generally shallow water species such as dace, stickleback and sculpins occur here and serve as important food sources for birds, larger fish and other wildlife. Their occurrence in shallow water makes them more susceptible to the toxic effects of petroleum.  Riparian habitats are heavily used by wildlife including river otter, beaver, muskrat, and raccoon.                                                                                                                                   

Wildlife Concerns:  Waterfowl concentrations, great blue heron, and bald eagles nests throughout. River otters, muskrats, and beaver are present and vulnerable to oil exposure.
                                           

Fish Concerns:  Sloughs are critical rearing habitat for resident fish.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
N/A

2.1.1 Narrative

Oil Containment and Recovery: Current operations include deploying boom to contain, control, and collect oil in the stormwater drain, irrigation ditches, Sulphur Creek, and Yakima River.  Ecology has mobilized its contractor, NRC, to perform oil containment and recovery.  The extent of oil contamination has yet to be fully assessed though initial reconnaissance data is being processed for future operational periods.  No geographic response plans are available for the current area of operations.  Boom deployments have been prioritized at areas where oil is recoverable or where sensitive resources are known to exist. 

Wildlife Response: On the morning of March 3, 2015, a dead, oiled bird was discovered in a drainage ditch and approximately 50 oiled, live birds were spotted near Sulphur Creek.  Unified Command mobilized Focus Resources, a wildlife rescue/rehabilitation contractor, to located, recovery, and rehabilitee oiled wildlife.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
During the time period from 03/01/2015 to 03/03/2015, Ecology and their contractor NRC, EPA and EPA START contractor, and the Yakama Nation responded to the site and:

• Secured the source of oil;
• Conducted an over-flight of impacted areas;
• Vacuumed out used oil from vaults adjacent to AST tank;
• Deployed sorbents in the drainage ditch before reaching the underground  irrigation drainage culvert passing through Sunnyside, WA;
• Deployed sorbent boom, hard boom, and skimming oil in Sulphur Creek and Yakima River;
• Identified, located, and collected oiled birds for decontamination;
• Developed a plan for future shoreline cleanup assessment technique (SCAT) process.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
The responsible party has been identified and has integrated into Unified Command. 

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Continued site characterization of the extent of contamination via SCAT, collection of oil on water, potentially excavating contaminated soil from non-culturally sensitive areas, potentially removing oiled vegetation, and decontaminating oiled shoreline and wildlife. 

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
The Unified Command has directed Ecology contractors to begin/continue the following tasks over the next operational period:  begin decontaminating of the stormwater discharge pipe in Division A (on Deaton property); construct an underflow Dam in Division B (ditch along Yakima Valley Highway); construction on an overflow dam and  removal of  pooled oil in the ditch in Division C; check and replace absorbents and skimmer operation in Division D (Sulphur Creek).

A SCAT team will be assembled to begin assessing each Division.  The team will be composed of representative of the Yakama Nation, Ecology, EPA START contractors, and Ecology contractors.  The team will assess oiling conditions and recommend treatment alternatives for each division to be reviewed and approved by UC.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

2.2.2 Issues
The Sunnyside Valley Irrigation District will begin discharging water through the irrigation canals that include Sulphur Creek in approximately two weeks.  The volume of water discharging through the system expected to double or triple current volumes which will likely make capturing any remaining residual oil more difficult. 

EPA Region 10 – Jeff Fowlow, FOSC
DOE – Jeff Lewis, SOSC
Yakama Nation – Elizabeth Sanchey, Tribal OSC
Luke Deaton – PRP representative