1.1.1 Incident Category

Oil Spill Emergency Response

1.1.2 Site Description

At approximately 10:15 am Saturday, November 28, a crude oil truck overturned in Provo Canyon releasing its load.  The truck appeared to be carrying waxy crude from the Uinta Basin, and the oil solidified along the drainage and in the Provo River.  An estimated 1,000 gallons of crude flowed into the Provo River.

The spill occurred approximately 3/4  - 1 mile upstream from the Olmstead Diversion Dam.  The Diversion Dam provides drinking water supplies for Orem, Provo and Salt Lake City.  The Central Utah Water District was promptly notified, and they closed their intake approximately 30 minutes before the first observation of oil. The water district is pulling water from an alternative source at this time. The water district also deployed boom which appears to have successfully captured much of the oil.  Thanks to the quick thinking and quick actions of the first responders and the Central Water District, the impacts from the spill have been substantially reduced.

1.1.2.1 Location

Near Mile Marker 13 on Highway 189 in Provo Canyon, Utah County, Utah

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

Oil has entered waters of the United States.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

The tanker wreck caused the discharge of approximately 4,500 gallons of crude oil (the entirety of the load) to the road shoulder and stream bank of the Provo River.  It is estimated that up to 1,000 gallons of the Uinta crude oil entered the Provo River.  Local officials with the Utah County Sheriff's Department and the North Fork Fire Protection District were quick to notify downstream water users and to bring in an environmental contractor (EnviroCare) to berm the crash site and to deploy boom in the Provo River.  At this time it appears that the oil has been diverted away from the nearest water intake, the Olmstead Diversion Dam.  This Diversion Dam has been shut down and defensive measures are in place.  There are no reports of impacts from further downstream water users.

Due to the cold weather and water temperature, along with the waxy nature of the Uinta crude, the oil has largely congealed into soft solid chunks.  This has greatly slowed the spread of the oil, but it does eliminate the use of vacuum trucks in oil recovery.  Crews physically raked and lifted the congealed oil by hand from behind the collection booms.

2.1.1 Narrative

Local responders took quick steps to secure the scene and limit the spread of oil.  The wrecked tanker was removed from the scene.  On 11/29/2015 workers began removing contaminated soil from the crash scene, as well as chunks of oil from the Provo River at two collection points.  All water intakes on the Provo River downstream of the spill have been shut down, with alternative sources brought on-line. These activities will continue into the next operational period.

Personnel from the UDEQ Water Program, along with OSC Dhieux, collected water samples from the Provo River on November 28 and 29, 2015.  Central Utah Water District has also collected water samples.  The water samples have been low and/or non-detect for oil-related constituents.

The Provo River is valued as a blue ribbon fishery and is a highly used recreational area.  In this section of the river, there are numerous families of beaver and muskrat.  No impacts to wildlife or fish have been observed.  This is not surprising, given the waxy nature of the crude oil which has solidified in the cold water into flakes and chunks.

2.1.2 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

Savage Services, Inc. of Midvale, Utah, is the Responsible Party.  They have representatives on-scene.

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

Oil collection is expected to continue through the end of the week.  Savage received approval to close one lane of the highway on December 3-4, 2015.  The road closure will allow for safe removal of oil stained soil and vegetation adjacent to the road at the spill site.  In addition, the storm water sewer will be cleaned and washed by hand. Pacific West will conduct the cleanup of this area of the spill. 

Envirocare will run several crews in boats along the river banks to collect oil.  There are small areas along the banks with stranded flakes of oil.  With several crews working, the majority of this oil should be collected on Thursday, December 3.  Additional collection on the river bank will continue on Friday, December 4.

The goal is to complete cleanup by Friday, December 4, 2015.  Boom will be left in place at the bridge by the diversion dam for the next several weeks.  The boom and the river will be carefully monitored for oil.  Should additional oil be observed in significant quantities, additional cleanup efforts will be discussed and may be initiated.

 2.2.2 Issues

2.5.1 Safety Officer

NA

2.5.2 Liaison Officer

NA

2.5.3 Information Officer

3.1 Unified Command

UDEQ, EPA and Savage are in Unified Command

3.2 Cooperating Agencies

Central Utah Water

U.S. Fish and Wildlife

EnviroCare has approximately 10 personnel on-site and is leading oil spill response efforts on the river.

Pacific West has approximately 5 personnel on-site and is leading remedial efforts at the spill site and cleaning of the storm water sewer.

EPA has an OSC on-scene, with UDEQ, Central Utah Water, Utah County, and Savage providing personnel as well.

6.1 Internet location of additional information/report

Please visit www.epaosc.org/provorivercrudeoil

 
6.2 Reporting Schedule