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.

2.1.1 Narrative

Upon arrival on scene, NJDEP excavated an interceptor trench to divert product away from the river and continued to collect oil from the trench.  DEP also deployed sorbent boom and hard boom to collect any product or sheen from the stream and at the confluence of the Musconetcong River.  NJDEP continued these actions until EPA, along with their contractor and resources, mobilized to the site and transitioned the actions.  EPA's response actions are listed below.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

Response actions during the reporting period of 2/20/2016 - 2/26/2016 include:

• 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.
• Excavation of contaminated soil began as well as transportation and disposal of contaminated soil.
• Backfill of excavated areas commenced in conjunction with excavation work. 

Response actions during the reporting period of 2/6/2016 - 2/19/2016 include:

• 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.
• All five oil tanks have been cleaned, dismantled and removed.  The RP recycled the steel from this activity.
• 35,579 gallons of oil/water mix were transported off site for disposal.
• Received the analytical for the drinking water samples.  The analytical indicated non-detect concentrations for both DRO and TPH.  This indicates the contamination has not migrated off site.
• The site has been prepared to begin excavation and transportation and disposal of the contaminated soil on Monday, 2/22/16.

Response actions during the reporting period of 1/30/2016 - 2/5/2016 include:

• 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.
• Cleaning of one 15,000 gallon tank was completed
• Cleaning of the 30,000 gallon tank began
• At the request of the Warren County Department of Health, a drinking water sample was obtained for the 3 residences adjacent to the site.  The well serves all 3 residences with a total of 7 occupants.  The samples were sent for analysis of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and diesel range organics (DRO).  The results will also be used to delineate the extent of contamination.
• The RP removed 30 cubic yards (cyd) of scrap metal from the property.  The scrap was from demolition activities on site (piping removal and building removal).
• An additional recovery pit was excavated on the far western side of the property, south of the tanks where the loading rack building was previously located. 
• Heavy rains along with snow melt significantly impacted the site on Wednesday, February 3 and continued on Thursday, February 4.  The weather impacted site operations in that the majority of work on these days included boom and sorbent maintenance and oil/water removal from the site.

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 became part of his estate.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

• Continue maintenance of boom and sorbent materials.
• Excavate contaminated soil.
• Dispose of contaminated materials.
• Demobe equipment and personnel from site

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

The disposal facility stopped accepting contaminated soil from the site Monday, 2/22/16, evening due to analytical indicating a level of TPH above their permitted value.  It was explained to the disposal facility the sample was collected from an area that had not yet been excavated.  The disposal facility resumed accepting waste on Thursday, 2/25/16.  Additional analytical was collected to ensure the appropriate levels of TPH are met for the disposal facilities permit.  The issue has been resolved at this time. 

3.1 Unified Command

3.2 Cooperating Agencies

NJDEP

Warren County Hazmat

Warren County Health Department

The Musconetcong Watershed Association

1 EPA OSC

8 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.