Executive Summary
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A report of a
fuel spill from a rural property was received in the Region 2 REOC at
1000 hours. Initial information indicated that at least one of five above ground fuel tanks leaked fuel into a stream that feeds the nearby
Musconetcong River. The discharge was discovered on Sunday, January 10, 2016 by an angler fishing in the river. The Musconetcong is a federally designated Wild and Scenic Waterway, a New Jersey State designated Category I trout maintenance waterway, a navigable waterway, and
tributary of the Delaware River.
The source of the spill is a defunct fuel oil dealer, Bee-Line Fuel Oil Co. Bee-Line went out of business in 2002 but the tanks were never taken out of service. The tanks were emptied except for the residual 'heel' or residue of fuel which could amount to hundreds or more gallons of product. The total storage capacity of the five tanks is 93,000 gallons.
NJDEP responders on the scene dug interceptor
trenches to stem the fuel flow and are emptying the
remaining fuel from the tanks. NJDEP has requested EPA to mobilize to the
scene to assist response efforts. An OSC was deployed from the REOC to the site and conferred with DEP responders. The flow of oil from the tanks was stopped, but the soil extending from under the tanks to the shoreline is saturated with product which is seeping into the river. In subsequent on-site discussions with DEP personnel it was decided to refer the site to the EPA for remediation. A verbal referral was made by the NJDEP to the EPA OSC on 1/12/16. A written referral was received on January 15, 2016. In response to the referral of this site, funding and authorization to initiate response efforts was issued by the US Coast Guard. A clean-up contractor has been selected and the approval to mobilize crew and equipment to the site is being prepared.
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
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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 |
Response Lead: |
EPA |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
1/13/2016 |
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Start Date: |
1/11/2016 |
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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1.1.1 Incident Category
This incident is a spill of #2 fuel oil from an aged storage tank into a navigable waterway of the US.
1.1.2 Site Description
The site is a defunct fuel oil dealer, Bee-Line Fuel Oil Co,, which went out of business in 2002. Based on the condition of the tanks it appears that they were merely emptied but never drained, pipes disconnected, and rendered incapable of holding product. There are five tanks on site - one 18,000 gallon, one 30,000 gallon and three 15,000 gallon capacity tanks.
1.1.2.1 Location
The site is located in a rural, heavily forested area of western-central NJ. The facility is located within 50 feet of a stream that feeds directly into the Musconetcong River, a tributary of the Delaware River.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
There is an on-going release of #2 fuel oil into the stream that eventually empties into the Delaware River.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
The federal OSC on the scene has determined that there is an on-going release to a navigable waterway of the US, and as such this site is eligible for federal funds to respond to the release.
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1.2 Incident Objectives
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Ensure
health and safety of the public and responders by conducting environmental
assessments, controlling hazards, and operating in accordance with the approved
site safety and quality assurance sampling plans.
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1.3 Critical Resource Needs
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Currently,
there are no critical resource needs.
Command expects to have the personnel, equipment and financial resources
available to complete all activities.
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1.4 Strategic Considerations
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To Be Determined.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
NJDEP has excavated an interceptor trench to divert product away from the river and is pumping collected oil from this trench. DEP has also deployed adsorbent boom to collect any product or sheen from the stream.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
EPA is mobilizing a contractor crew to the site on 1/13/16. The DEP will maintain response activities until the site is transitioned to EPA.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
The owner of the property, August Binder, passed away in December 2014. The assets of the company become part of his estate which is currently in dispute among several parties.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
#2 fuel oil
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soil |
unk. |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
To Be Determined.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
Continue to collect fuel oil and excavate contaminated soil.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
Mobilize EPA contractor to the site and assume response duties.
2.2.2 Issues
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2.3 Logistics Section
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No information available at this time.
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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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No information available at this time.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
NJDEP
Warren County Hazmat
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4. Personnel On Site
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NJDEP response and contractor personnel.
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5. Definition of Terms
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No information available at this time.
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6. Additional sources of information
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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/2016/01/12/oil-spill-could-affect-raritan-river/78672484/
6.2 Reporting Schedule
Additional Sitreps will be issued on a weekly basis.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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No information available at this time.
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