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
Seven samples of the oil released were collected at various locations, and submitted to a laboratory for analysis by Ecology.  Results indicated lubricating oil and diesel, and PCBs were below the laboratory detection limit.  Analytical results for metals and finger printing 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 03/08/2015 to 03/11/2015, the following site activities were conducted:

Division A

• Continued investigation for the connection between the spill site and the irrigation piping vaults leading to the outfall at Division B.
• Vacuumed out used oil from the vaults down-gradient of the AST.
• Performed a dye test and confirmed pathway of vault system.
• Flushed vault system with water to remobilize the oil down stream into collection points.
• Performed a scoping of the irrigation piping underground with a camera truck.
• Following the flushing of the vaults and connected piping of the irrigation system, the release of oil from Division A to the storm water outfall in Division B ceased. 

Division B

• Continued removal of contaminated vegetation within the drainage ditch.
• Continued collection of pooled oil using a vacuum truck.
• Replaced saturated sorbents, when necessary.
• SCAT identified areas of oil accumulation and, per their recommendation, conducted washing of the shoreline in between the underflow dams to remobilize the oil which has accumulated on the banks after the debris was removed. 

Division C

• Continued to monitor and collect the oil accumulating at the underflow dam coming from Division B.
• Replaced saturated sorbents, when necessary.

Division D

• SCAT performed a cleanup assessment along with a cleanup crew and identified and conducted minor spot cleanups. 
• Continued use of sorbent boom, and hard boom at confluence of Sulphur Creek and Yakima River.
• Replaced saturated sorbents, when necessary.

Division E

• Given the location, quantity and thinness of the oil, USFWS, WDFW, and Focus Wildlife determined that the minor residual oil and sheen were not a hazard to wildlife and that attempting to perform additional cleanup would have a greater detrimental effect to the environment than allowing natural attenuation.  The UC concurred with this determination.
• Continued use of hard boom and sorbent at the Mabton Road Bridge. 
• Replaced saturated sorbents, when necessary. 

Division F

• Replaced saturated sorbents, when necessary. 

Wildlife

• Collected 22 live birds and 19 dead birds (as of 3/11/2015). 
• Collected most of the oiled domestic geese, approximately 52, and another 5 or 6 escaped capture.  An official count will be provided upon intake processing at the MRU in Pasco. The remaining domestic geese will be captured for decontamination and rehabilitation in the coming days.

Based on the elimination of the release of oil to surface waters of the United States, the Unified Command ceased oil recovery activities in Divisions B through F.  Washington State spill responders will continue to monitor Divisions B through F to observe, document, and report to the UC any additional release of oil that may occur. 

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 3/7/2015

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

The Washington State Department of Ecology and the RP are negotiating the terms of additional investigation and the removal/remediation of petroleum-contaminated soils (PCS) in Division A to be overseen by Ecology’s Toxics Cleanup Program.  The negotiations may include the removal/remediation of contaminated soils already generated as a result of the spill response.  If these negotiations fail or if the removal/remediation of the PCS are not included in the RP’s response, the Unified Command will have to arrange for the removal of the PCS and potentially conduct additional measures to secure the site.  
    

Division A

• No Further Action pending negotiations between the Washington Department of Ecology and the RP.

Division B

• Monitor the outfall from Division A to determine if oil is being released and, if oil is released, collect and remove the oil by use of absorbent materials or a vacuum truck.
• The underflow dam will be left in place as a precaution until the Sunnyside Irrigation District begins charging the system and the ditches begin receiving return water.  The Unified Command will determine the appropriate time to remove the underflow dam in Division B.  

Division C

• Remove underflow dam prior to the irrigation system being primed/activated around March 17, to minimize the obstruction of water through this division. 
• Inspect for the presence of oil.

Division D

• Continue use of sorbent boom, hard boom at confluence of Sulphur Creek and Yakima River.

Division E

• Continue use of hard boom and sorbent at the Mabton Road Bridge.  

Division F

• No Further Action.   

Wildlife

• Continue wildlife rehabilitation in Mobile Response Unit set up in Pasco, WA.
• Continue collection of oiled water fowl, and other wildlife identified for decontamination and rehabilitation. 

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

EPA and Yakama Nation staff have demobilized from the site.  Ecology responders will continue to intermittantly check the irrigation ditches, Sulphur Creek, and Yakima River for the presence of new oil.  Ecology contractors will continue to decontaminate and rehabilitate oiled waterfowl.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps
By Thursday, March 12, 2015, the RP will determine their willingness and ability to be able to perform the necessary cleanup activities remaining on the property, which include but are not limited to: 

• Secure a contract with a licensed environmental contractor.  
• Obtain site security and/or render current excavation trenches safe whether through sloping, benching, fencing, etc.
• The removal and disposal of contaminated soil and debris.
• Dispose of all petroleum and water waste. 

If the RP is unable or unwilling to conduct any or all of the necessary tasks, Unified Command will arrange for disposal of the PCS and liquid generated during the response and take any other action necessary to secure the site and prevent further release of oil.

2.2.2 Issues

The Sunnyside Valley Irrigation District will begin discharging water through the irrigation canals on or about March 17^th, which includes Sulphur Creek.  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.

The underflow dam installed in Division B will remain as a precaution probably until after the Sunnyside Irrigation District begins charging the irrigation system around March 17.  If no additional oil is released, the Unified Command will direct NRC to dismantle and remove the dam.

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