1.1.1 Incident Category :  Emergency Response to an inland oil spill - PRP Oversight

1.1.2 Site Description:   Present estimate is 700 bbls. of crude oil contaminating approximately 1/2 mile of dry creek bed.  (Originally reported at 5000 bbls, then amended to 700 bbls.)

1.1.2.1 Location:  The Prince Barranca along Hall Canyon Road, Ventura, CA  93001

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat:  No immediate threat of discharge to surface water until rainy season.  A few critters have been harmed during or prior to the spill.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

2.1.1 Narrative

On June 23, 2016 at approximately 0530 hrs., a 10” pipeline owned by Crimson Pipeline with Aera Energy crude oil ruptured at Hall Canyon in Ventura, CA. The oil leak flowed down the Prince Barranca. Ventura Fire Dept. constructed an earthen dam and prevented the oil from flowing any farther. The pipe was depressurized and the oil leak was stopped. Approximately 700 barrels (29,400 gallons) of crude oil was released. The oil leak stretches approximately half a mile from the point of origin to the earthen dam. The crude oil was contained and no seepage was observed. The cause of the rupture is still under investigation. There was no threat to the ocean or other waterways and RP cleanup crews were on scene removing product by 0700 hrs.

OSC and START contract personnel were dispatched to the scene. The initial NRC and Cal OES reports suggested the discharge was as much as 5,000 barrels. While that estimate was revised down to approximately 700 barrels, continuation of the EPA response was deemed prudent. Approximately ½ mile of creek bed is impacted about 1.5 miles inland of the Ocean (EPA jurisdiction). A Coast Guard overflight has confirmed no discharge to the Ocean.  Had no action been taken the spill would have ultimately reached San Buenoventura State Beach.

2.1.2 Response Actions (6/28 - 7/15/2016)

1. Division A Soil Removal:  Division A is in the vicinity of the vault box and gas line to the culvert that crosses under Hall Canyon Road and discharges into the Barranca.  Soil was removed to a depth of four-feet below ground surface (bgs).  Weir/Dams were constructed downgradient in Division B to capture flushed liquids from culvert in Division A.  Water-jet flushing of the culvert (CDFW on-site to verify successful flush of culvert) was completed 6/29/2016.

2. Flushing Activities: Flushing activities included the use of large quantities of water to “float” any free-product downstream where it is then collected in temporary catch basins and eventually removed from site. Several flushing events have been conducted throughout Divisions B and C and will continue until the quantities of removable contamination diminish.  

3. Power Washing Activities: In order to minimize the volume of contaminated water generated during the removal operations, power washers are being used to remove residual contamination from large rocks and cobbles throughout the barranca. Product is removed from the rocks/cobbles and is allowed to pool in the creek bottom. A “flushing” event, described above, is then conducted to move the product downgradient where it is collected in pump trucks and disposed of off-site. 

4. Soil Removal: Approximately 18-24 inches (vertical depth) of soil has been removed from the bottom of the barranca throughout Divisions B and C.  Field crews continued in Division C are hand-digging impacted sands, double bagging and transporting to staging area for eventual off-site disposal.   The digging follows the contours of the creek and is on-average 4-8 feet horizontal distance with one exception.  There is an approximate 40 yard stretch referred to as “rockfall danger” area.  A geotechnical survey/stability assessment will need to be conducted prior to any further soil removal.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities

OSC Weden issued a Notice of Federal Interest to Crimson Pipeline LP on June 23, 2016.  Crimson Pipeline LP has taken full responsibility for the spill and is diligently working to clean it up.

 
2.1.4 Progress Metrics

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities:  The SOSC will be the sole regulator in the UC however, OSC has maintained periodic communication with the Unified Command.  .  EPA’s contractor, Weston Solutions, will continue to monitor progress of this cleanup on EPA’s behalf.  Weston will be available to the SOSC for review and comment on technical documents.  OSC will be available, as needed throughout the cleanup, will return for a final “walk-through” when clean-up is complete, and will stay involved through the coming rainy season as the underflow dams are monitored.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

The geotechnical survey is scheduled to begin on Wednesday 7/20 and is likely to continue for several days thereafter. It is expected that the results report will be provided to Crimson/UC approximately 10 days after the conclusion of fieldwork. Until then, field personnel will continue to decontaminate larger aggregate and other semi-permanent structures in the creek bottom (power washing and hand-scrubbing with peat moss).  

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

2.2.2 Issues

1-START

6 - CAF&W

2 - Local

12 -  PRP

122  - C/U Contractors