1.1.1 Incident Category

This is a Clean Water Act (CWA), Oil Pollution Act (OPA) Emergency Response. A discharge of approximately 330 bbls of crude oil occurring from a pipeline break in Magee, Mississippi. 

1.1.2 Site Description

The National Response Center (NRC) was notified at approximately 1400 on February 16, by Witt OBrien's, on behalf of Genesis Energy LP, that a crude oil discharge had occurred in Magee, Mississippi (MS). The crude oil discharged from an eight inch pipeline that was damaged by a fallen tree. The discharge occurred while the river was at flood stage. The initial discharge quantity was unknown. The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), conducted an immediate recon and estimated that, at a minimum, 50 barrels of crude oil had discharged into US waters. Specifically, into the Okatoma Creek which is a tributary of the Bouie River. The source is located approximately 1.1 miles from the creek. MDEQ requested support from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday evening at approximately 1930 local time. 

The pipeline discharge has been secured. A Unified Command (UC) has been established and is comprised of the Responsible Party (RP), Genesis Energy, an EPA Federal on Scene Coordinator (FOSC), the MDEQ SOSC and the Simpson County EMA director. 

1.1.2.1 Location

Magee, MS

Latitude: 31.8691667
Longitude: 89.6783333 

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

Discharge of crude oil to waters of the U.S.  

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

Initially reported as a minimum 50 bb, the discharge has been upgraded to a 330+ bbl discharge.  At the request of MDEQ, the EPA OSC is ensuring/directing the response under a Unified Command that includes the RP, State representation and County EMA. 

The following represents a concise summary of actions to date. For additional information please see link below for documents. 

Link to addtl response documents 

2.1.1 Response Actions to Date

Genesis Energy conducted O&M of the absorbent boom, and snares as well as the recovery sump placed into the soil at the break point of the pipeline. The State of Mississippi conducted on-site inspections and walk through during the O&M period. A total of 12 O&M visits were conducted between February 23 and May 4, before O&M was determined to be complete by the Unified Command Staff. Genesis will coordinate with the property owner to remove the underflow dam in Division B after the fall harvest.

In addition to the O&M Genesis Energy conducted the recycling and disposal on the recovered oil, oil impacted water, oiled debris, oiled absorbents and oiled PPE. All the recovered oil and oil impacted water was recycled by placing it all into the crude oil product lines. The crude oil product specification allows water as part crude oil, therefore allowing oily impacted water to be placed into the product line and allowing for recovery of all the oil from the water.

A total of 596.79 tons of oil impacted absorbents, PPE and debris were disposed at the Republic Services Little Dixie Landfill, Ridgeland, Mississippi.

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

Genesis Energy LP is the potentially responsible party. 

2.2.1 Planned Response Activities

Please see the document section for IAPs concerning future planned actions. 

2.2.2 Issues

The underflow dam construed during the ER and that remained in place during the O&M will remain in place until the after the crops are harvested at the request of the property owner.  

3.1 Unified Command

See IAP organizational chart

US Fisn and Wildlife conducted a preliminary assessment on Friday Feb 26.