U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
BNSF Galena Derailment - Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region V
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Subject:
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POLREP #4
Progress
BNSF Galena Derailment
E15510
Galena, IL
Latitude: 42.3744730 Longitude: -90.4443060
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To:
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From:
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Jaime Brown, OSC
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Date:
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3/11/2015
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Reporting Period:
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3/9/2015 - 3/10/2015
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
E15510 |
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Contract Number: |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
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Response Authority: |
OPA |
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Response Type: |
Emergency |
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Response Lead: |
PRP |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
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NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
3/5/2015 |
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Start Date: |
3/5/2015 |
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Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
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CERCLIS ID: |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
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FPN#: |
E15510 |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
Emergency Response
1.1.2 Site Description
On March 5, 2015 at 1:24 pm CST a BNSF unit train carrying crude oil derailed at Mile Post 171.6 in Jo Daviess County, Illinois near the city of Galena, Illinois. BNSF reported the incident to the National Response Center at 2:52pm CST. BNSF reports there has been a release of crude oil to the ground. The unit train consisted of 105 railroad tanker cars.
The Site is a train derailment consisting of 21 BNSF-owned railroad tanker cars (each containing about 30,000 gallons). Of the 21 derailed cars, 5 of 7 ruptered were on fire and releasing oil onto the embankment and in a seasonal wetland (currently not flooded) adjacent to the Galena and Mississippi Rivers. The fire was ongoing from 3/5/2015 to 3/8/2015.
1.1.2.1 Location
Location is at RR Mile Post 171.6 outside (south) of Galena Illinois in Jo Daviess County.
Latitude: 42.3744730
Longitude: -90.4443060
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Spilled oil on the shoreline is proximal to Harris Slough at the confluence of the Galena and Mississippi Rivers.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
A total of 21 railroad tanker cars derailed. Five of the derailed rail cars each contain approximately 30,000 gallons of crude oil and were on fire. There were a total of 21 railroad tanker cars at the Site for an estimated total of about 630,000 gallons of crude with an unknown amount spilled onto the seasonal wetland and/or combusted. The spilled oil impacted the seasonal wetland and has the potential of discharge in the Galena and/or Mississippi rivers. Besides impacting the seasonal wetland, the oil poses a threat of discharge to the Galena River and the Mississippi River. In addition, the crude oil presents a threat to the environment which includes the adjacent Wildlife Refuge. The crude oil also presented a potential threat to public health from air emissions due to the fire.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
OSCs Brown, Mendoza, arrived at the Site on 3/5/2015. OSCs Faryan, Ruesch and Benning arrived on site 3/6/2015. They coordinated with the Fire Chief serving as Incident Commander. OSCs Mendoza and Ruesch demobilized on 3/10/2015. The USCG Marine Safety Unit from Quad Cities was on scene on 3/5/2015 and oversaw installation of a containment boom at the confluence of the Galena & Mississippi Rivers. The Marine Safety Unit demobilized the next day.
Air monitoring to protect public health is being conducted by BNSF contractor CTEH. After approval from the IC, EPA OSCs directed START to support air monitoring being conducted by CTEH. The CTEH/BNSF air monitoring plan was approved by OSC Brown. START is overseeing air monitoring and collecting air samples at selected CTEH locations for VOCs analysis, in addition to collecting real time air monitoring readings for VOCs and particulates. To date, CTEH & EPA have been either non detectable or below health based standards for VOCs or particulate matter.
BNSF successfully uncoupled approximately 84 railroad tank cars containing crude oil, thus removing the risk of crude oil releasing from these tanks. A wrecking contractor to BNSF re-railed derailed intact tank cars and removed them from the Site. There are currently 12 derailed cars remaining, staged on a pad away from the rail. The cars and product that were previously burning have been extinguished. Vacuum trucks have been used to remove the oil from all of these cars, which is then stored in frac tanks staged on site. The cars are currently being cleaned and scrapped for removal from the site. Oil is also being vacuumed and skimmed from pools located near the accident site where oil has collected.
An earthen berm and underflow dam were constructed around the derailment site to contain run-off of crude oil. EPA inspected these structures and made suggestions for enhancements that were implemented including the deployment of oil containment boom and absorbent boom. During the inspection, and sampling events no oil or oil sheen has been observed in the Galena or Mississippi River. EPA, IEPA, and BNSF/CTEH collected samples to verify either the presence or lack thereof in the rivers. EPA collected oil samples for fingerprinting purposes to be analyzed by USCG. CTEH collected samples in the same location. EPA and IEPA have reviewed, approved and implemented the environmental sampling & monitoring plans which include sampling of the surface water in the river and the BNSF rail right of way.
Rebuilding of the rail line has been completed and trains began moving on 3/9/15.
EPA is integrated into the Incident Command System and, is providing updates to the press, Congressional Representatives and the community. The IMT is operating under a 24 hour operating period with 2 shifts.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
BNSF Railway has accepted the responsibility for the release. OSC Brown issued a Notice of Federal Interest to BNSF Railway on 3/6/2015. BNSF Railway is cooperating with EPA and other Agencies responding the incident
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
| Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
| Crude Oil |
Liquid Waste |
218000 Gal. |
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| Oil Water Mix |
Liquid Waste |
7900 Gal. |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
- Plans have been approved for installation of sheet piling to restrict anticipated high water in the affected area.
- Plans have been approved for assessing the ground and groundwater.
-BNSF will complete cleaning and scrapping operations upon the remaining cars on-site.
- EPA will continue to coordinate through the ICS structure and provide tactical advice and oversight of the removal towards protection of public health and the environment in coordination with Federal, State, and local agencies.
- USCG Strike Team will continue to provide assistance in implementation and oversight of a health & safety plan developed for the Site by a contractor to BNSF.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
- BNSF will continue containment/monitoring of the oil release with EPA, Federal, State, and local agency oversight. Plans for environmental remediation will be discussed, prepared and implemented.
- BNSF built a road into the seasonal wetland to enable heavy equipment to conduct wrecking operations. BNSF received an emergency permit from the USACE under the Clean Water Act 404 to conduct this work.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
See Section 2.2.1
2.2.2 Issues
The River Forecasting System is predicting seasonal river rise due to snow melt. BNSF is working to protect the impacted area from inundation.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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The EPA Mobile Command Post is on scene to support response staff. Sampling supplies and equipment are being provided by EPA and START contractors.
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2.4 Finance Section
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No information available at this time.
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2.5 Other Command Staff
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2.5.1 Safety Officer
The USCG Strike Team is on site and is supporting the Safety Officer. BNSF has appointed a contractor, Arcadis to prepare and implement a Site Wide Health and Safety Plan.
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
Heriberto Leon (on site). US Representative Cheri Bustos, EPA Regional Administrator Susan Hedman, Illinois EMA Director James Joseph, and Illinois EPA Emergency Response Program Manager Blaine Kinsley were briefed and given a tour of the site. The Mayor of Galena and Jo Daviess County Board Chairman also attended.
2.5.3 Information Officer
PIO Heriberto Leon replied to several media requests. Arranged for press availability for the US Representative, IL EMA Director and EPA Regional Administrator
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
EPA Region 5 (IC)
BNSF Railway
Illinois EPA
Jo Daviess County
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
Galena Police Department
Jo Daviess County Sheriff's Office
Other local fire, police & emergency personnel (through MABAS)
U.S. Coast Guard
Federal Railroad Administration
U.S. DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Illinois DNR
Illinois EPA
Illinois EMA (MABAS)
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
OSHA
Red Cross
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4. Personnel On Site
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EPA: 4
START: 5
ERRS:
IEPA: 3
OTHER LOCAL, STATE & FEDERAL AGENCIES: 21
BNSF & CONTRACTORS: 132
TOTAL (estimated): 165
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5. Definition of Terms
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| POLREP – Pollution ReportBNSF – Burlington Northern Santa Fe RailroadIl – IllinoisEPA – Environmental Protection AgencyDNR- Department of Natural ResourcesSTART – Superfund Technology Assessment and Response TeamVIP – Very Important PersonERRS – Emergency and Rapid Response Services IEPA – Illinois Environmental Protection AgencyUSCG – United States Coast GuardOSHA- Occupational Safety and Health AdministrationPHMSA- Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety AdministrationCTEH – Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health LLCRR – RailroadVOC- Volatile Organic CompoundOSC – On-Scene CoordinatorIMT – Incident Management TeamICS – Incident Command SystemCST- Central Standard TimeEMA- Emergency Management Agency |
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6. Additional sources of information
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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
http://www.epaosc.org/bnsfgalenaspill
http://www2.epa.gov/il/galena-train-derailment
6.2 Reporting Schedule
Another POLREP will be issued March 12.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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See Section 6.1.
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