1.1.1 Incident Category

Tank Truck Roll-Over/Diesel Spill

1.1.2 Site Description

On May 13, 2016, a tanker truck belonging to the SOCO Group flipped over while transitioning from I-8 west onto Moreno Blvd., releasing 3715 gallons of diesel fuel. The diesel migrated through weep hole drains onto the San Diego River Floodplain and into the river itself. The contamination is also on Friars Road and the Morena Blvd.  overpass. The responsible party (RP) initiated a response, hiring NRC Environmental Services (NRC)  to conduct response operations, which are on-going. A Unified Command has been set up to include the RP, San Diego County Environmental Health Hazmat (SDCoEH), California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CADFW) Office of Oil Spill, Prevention and Response (OSPR)  and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). See Section 3.2 for other cooperating agencies.

The spill impacted San Diego River and flood plain, which are  "Waters of the US".  It drains to the Pacific Ocean approximately two miles downstream to the ocean. 

 1.1.2.1 Location

The spill impacted the off-ramp from westbound I-8 to Morena Blvd. north overpass; Friars Road beneath the Morena Blvd. overpass, the San Diego River channel and the San Diego River flood basin. 

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

See POLREP No. 1.  Currently, soil excavations are on-going in areas next to the river shoreline.  The river has some limited sheening along the excavation areas and some limited pockets of vegetation upstream of the bridge.  There have not been any wildlife impacts detected.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

See POLREP No. 1.  On May 23, 2016, OSC Wise conducted monitoring for VOCs on the rip-rap field under the northern abutment of the Morena Blvd. bridge using a TVA-1000 FID/PID combination unit.  The ambient concentrations for total VOCs (PID/FID combined) were less then  1.5 ppm.  Concentrations between the rip-rap was also less then 1.5 ppm.  OSC Wise also conducted monitoring on the northern side  of the river in areas B,C,D and E and found VOC concentration to be less then 10 ppm.

Water results showing a small amount of TPH in the river samples.  No VOCs detected.  TPH concentrations less then 200 ug/l in spill area.  Upstream concentrations of TPH at approximately 140 ug/l.

2.1.1 Narrative

On May 13, 2016, a tanker truck containing 3700 gallons of diesel crashed releasing diesel in the San Diego River and Flood Plain.  The Responsible Party, the SOCO Group has initiated a response action to remove the diesel from all impacted areas under a Unified Command.  The USEPA  Spill Phone duty officer (DO) was notified of the spill by the National Response Center.  The DO negotiated with the USCG to provide an on-site Federal presence until an USEPA Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC) could be deployed.  The DO deployed FOSC R. Wise on the morning of May 14, 2016 to respond to the spill.  The SOCO Group has set up a hotline for the spill.  The number is:  760-795-5383.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

May 20, 2016

Agency Personnel:  CADFW, SDCoEH, No EPA Presence

Area B backfilled and regarded.  Started excavation in Area  D and work back towards C.   Area C completed.  Awaiting soil and groundwater data to determine if clean.   Washing of the river banks using pumps and river water continued.  Sorbent boom on river used to collect any sheen generated from washing.  Excavation in area "G"  completed and awaiting analytical data.

May 21-22, 2016:  No Work On-Site

May 23, 2016:

Agencies Present:  EPA, CADFW, City of San Diego, CHP

EPA Personnel:  OSC R. Wise

IC briefings will go to one a day at 0730 hours.  NRC continuing to excavated the banks of the river on both sides of the river.  Flushing operations continue on the river.  Awaiting data to backfill areas C and G. 

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

On May 17, 2016, OSC Wise issued a NOFI to the SOCO Group.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

2.2.1 Planned Response Activities

The operations period is 72 hours.  This operational period ends on May 19, 2016 at 1900 hours.  Response operations include:

• Removal of diesel contaminated soil in the San Diego River Flood Plain;
• Removal of contaminated vegetation in the San Diego River Flood Plain;
• Removal of diesel contamination in the water and on vegetation of the San Diego River;      
• Confirmation sampling in the River and Flood Plain to determine completion of the removal;
• Assessment of impacts to groundwater; and
• Restoration of all impacted areas.
  
  2.2.1.2 Next Steps
•  Contractors for the RP will begin sanding the road on Morena Blvd. overpass to remove any residual diesel.
•  Removal of diesel contaminated soil in the San Diego River Flood Plain;
• Removal of contaminated vegetation in the San Diego River Flood Plain; and
• Removal of diesel contamination in the water and on vegetation of the San Diego River;

2.2.2 Issues

• Air monitoring of rip-rap areas below northern abutment of Morena Blvd, documenting total VOCs less then 1.5 ppm at both soil level and ambient.  OSC Wise recommending reevaluating the need to excavate there.
•  Opening of Friars Road.
• Backfill plan is receiving concerns from NGOs associated with river.

2.5.1 Safety Officer

NRC Environmental Services

2.5.2 Liaison Officer

The SOCO Group

2.5.3 Information Officer

The SOCO Group

3.1 Unified Command

FOSC: USEPA

SOSC:  CADFW - OSPR

3.2 Cooperating Agencies

USCG, CHP, SDRC, SDRWQCB; USACE; Pima Co. Solid Waste; MTS; SDPD; SDSW; and SDPW.  The SDCoEH VAP will the lead agency for any long-term remedial issues.

bgs:  below ground surface 

CADFW:  California Department of Fish and Wildlife 

CALTRANS:  California Department of  Transportation 

CHP:  California Highway Patrol 

FID:  Flame Ionization Detector

FOSC: Federal On-Scene Coordinator 

FPN:  Federal Pollution Number 

MTS:  Metropolitan Transport System 

NOFI:  Notice of Federal Interest 

NGO:  Non-Government Officials

NRC:  NRC Environmental Services 

OSPR:  Office of Spill Prevention and Response

PID:  Photoionization Detector

RP:  Responsible Party

SDCoEH:  San Diego Co. Environmental Health

SDFD:  San Diego Fire Department

SDG&E:  San Diego Gas and Electric 

SDPD:  San Diego Police Department

SDSW:  San Diego Storm Water

SOSC:  State On-Scene Coordinator 

UC: Unified Command

USACE:  U.S. Army Corp of Engineers

USCG:  U.S. Coast Guard

USEPA: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

USFWS:  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services

VAP:  Voluntary Assistance Program

VOC:  Volatile Organic Compounds

6.1 Internet location of additional information/report

 epaosc.org/Morena-I8_Spill

6.2 Reporting Schedule

The next POLREP will be on May 25, 2016