A report of a fuel oil spill from a rural property was received in the Region 2 REOC at 1000 hours on Monday, January 11, 2016. Initial information indicated that at least one of five above ground fuel oil 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. 

1.1.1 Incident Category

This incident is a discharge 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 discharge 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 discharge to a navigable waterway of the US, and as such this site is eligible for federal funds to respond to the release.

• Eliminate the actual and substantial threat of discharge of oil into a navigable waterway

• 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.

Currently, there are no critical resource needs.  Command expects to have the personnel, equipment and financial resources available to complete all activities.

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

Response actions during the reporting period of 1/25/2016 - 1/29/2016 include:

• Maintained the sorbent and hard boom in the creek and at the confluence of the Musconetcong River
• Recovered approximately gallons 1,700 gallons of oil/water mixture from the interceptor trench
• Completed removing piping and associated appurtenances from tanks and loading racks
• Dismantled loading rack building on southern side of tank farm
• Samples collected for T&D of soil and oil/water mixture

Response actions during the reporting period of 1/13/2016 - 1/24/2016 include:

• Mobilized personnel and resources to site to conduct necessary work to control/contain the ongoing discharge of #2 fuel oil into the tributary of the Musconetcong River
• Began removing remaining oil in fuel tanks.  1,185 gallons were removed from one vertical tank and 1,700 gallons were removed from other vertical tank.  All other tanks are free of recoverable product. 
• Began dismantling of piping and appurtenances associated with tanks and loading racks.  45 gallons of oil were recovered from this operation.
• Maintenance of hard boom and sorbent material in the tributary and at the confluence of the tributary and the Musconetcong River continued.  Slight sheening is still occurring in the tributary but is contained prior to entering the Musconetcong River.
• Maintenance of the recovery trench the NJDEP installed is ongoing.  During this reporting period, 8,300 gallons of oil/water mix was recovered from the trench.

All liquid oil/water material is being stored in frac tanks on site pending disposal.  Spent sorbent material and PPE is being stored in lined roll off on site pending disposal.

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.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

• Continue maintenance of boom and sorbent materials.
• Continue dismantling of piping and associated appurtenances.
• Dismantle tanks and loading rack buildings in order to access contaminated soil.
• Excavate contaminated soil.
• Dispose of contaminated materials.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

Continue to collect fuel oil and excavate contaminated soil.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

See anticipated activities.

2.2.2 Issues

No major issues were encountered during this reporting period.

3.1 Unified Command

3.2 Cooperating Agencies

NJDEP

Warren County Hazmat

1 EPA OSC

6 ERRS

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.