1.1.1 Incident Category

This incident is an emergency response to the release of paraquat, a toxic herbicide, to roadside drainage ditches.

1.1.2 Site Description

A truck carrying the herbicide made a turn causing the load to shift. A tote broke through the truck's side gate and fell onto the pavement. The damaged tote released the herbicide onto the roadway and roadside apron. Before local emergency management and the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC) representatives were on-scene, the responsible party was directed to wash the chemical off the roadway. The quantity of paraquat released from the tote was calculated to be 110 gallons; however, the washing of the chemical increased the volume of the material allowing the water and chemical mix to flow into a roadside drainage area. 

1.1.2.1 Location

The incident occurred at the intersection of State Highway 78 and State Highway 79, near the town of Ridgely, Lake County, Tennessee.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

The product, sold under the trade name Gramoxone Max, is a common herbicide used in agriculture operations. It contains approximately 44% paraquat dichloride.  The material is a skin irritant and can be fatal if swallowed. The chemical is toxic to aquatic life. The drainage area impacted by the chemical drains to the Reel Foot Run Bayou which discharges to a lake that's part of a wildlife management area. The lake discharges to the Mississippi River.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

Upon arrival, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) observed a dark green liquid contained in approximately 250' of roadside ditch. The EPA OSC directed the responsible party to remove liquids and impacted soil and sediment from the ditch.

2.1.1 Narrative

The responsible party utilized their company labor and equipment to conduct the cleanup.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

Starting on April 28, 2016, the responsible party began pumping the liquids from the ditch to allow for excavation of impacted soils and sediments.  Approximately 6000 gallons of water and chemical were pumped into temporary holding tanks.  Once the liquids were removed, the impacted soil and sediment were excavated from the ditch and placed into temporary storage containers.  The two storage boxes were transported to a nearby waste management company for storage until disposal arrangements were finalized.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture will work with the farmer to allow the liquid to be utilized for its intended purpose.

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

The responsible party conducted the cleanup.  The EPA OSC issued a Notice of Federal Interest letter to the responsible party.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

No further EPA actions are anticipated. 

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

2.2.2 Issues