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.  The Yakima River is a navigable waterway of the U.S. 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
A sample of the oil released was submitted to a laboratory for analysis, indicated lubricating oil and diesel, and PCBs were below the laboratory detection limit.  Analytical results for metals is expected in the coming days.

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: As reports of additional oiled or dead wildlife are received, Focus Resources will attempt to locate, recover, decontaminate and rehabilitate oiled wildlife.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
During the time period from 03/04/2015 to 03/05/2015, Ecology and their contractor, NRC; EPA and START, and Yakama Nation staff responded to the site and:

Division A

• Continued searching for the connection between the spill site and the pipe leading to the outfall at Division B. 
• Used an excavator to expose the vaults under the concrete pad down-gradient of the AST to recover used oil.
• Vacuumed out used oil from the concrete vaults down-gradient of the AST.

Division B

• Deployed sorbents in the drainage ditch before reaching the underground  irrigation drainage culvert passing through Sunnyside, WA.
• Removed contaminated vegetation within the drainage ditch.
• Continued collection of pooled oil using a vacuum truck.
• Completed shoreline cleanup assessment technique (SCAT).  Based on SCAT team recommendations, UC directed NRC to remove contaminated brush, continue to apply absorbents, install an underflow dam, and collect oil trapped by underflow dams.
• Identified and collected oiled birds for decontamination and rehabilitation.

Division C

• Completed SCAT.  Based on SCAT team recommendations, the UC directed NRC to use absorbent pads and boom to collect oil and to continue to collect accumulating oil at the underflow dam.
• Installed an underflow dam to collect the oil coming from Division B.
• Identified and collected oiled birds for decontamination and rehabilitation;

Division D

• Continued use of sorbent boom, hard boom, and skimming of oil at confluence of Sulphur Creek and Yakima River;
• Replaced saturated sorbents, when necessary;

Division E

• Continued monitoring Yakima River for presence of oil and/or sheen.  

Wildlife

• Collected 9 live birds and 6 dead birds.

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

 Waste collected for disposal as of 3/5/2015

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