River Branch East
In Division A, U.S. EPA and MDNRE Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI) entered the Hot Zones in Division A and conducted air monitoring for VOCs, LEL and benzene. All levels within the Hot Zone were under 5.0 ppm. All levels outside the Hot Zone were below 0.5 ppm. The RP is putting in sheet piling around the pipeline leak site and has initiated the installation of a new collection point east of the pipeline.
In Division B, U.S.EPA personnel accompanied MDNRE OCI on an entry into the Hot Zone within Division B locations to observe RP oil collection activities. Air monitoring was conducted with an Ultra RAE. All levels within the Hot Zone were under 5.0 ppm and all levels outside the Hot Zone below 0.5 ppm for benzene.
River Branch West - U.S. EPA
U.S.EPA provided oversight and air monitoring activities at Boom Locations ranging from 5.5 miles to 8.9 miles downstream of the first protective structure near the spill origination point. During these activities, active air monitoring was conducted with multiple instruments for health and safety verification. No health and safety-related issues were observed, and no actionable air monitoring results were seen from any of the air monitoring locations.
In Division C at location C0, additional boom was deployed downstream near Easterly Dibble Drive. A heavy sheen was noted bank to bank in this area during reconnaissance on 31Jul2010. Boom change out was conducted at the 15 Mile Road bridge.
In Division D at location D2.5, additional absorbent boom was deployed. U.S. EPA continued to adjust deployment positions of containment and absorbent boom to maximize natural collection areas; and continued oil/water collection in areas of accumulation.
In Division E at location E3, U.S. EPA deployed containment boom at East Michigan Street bridge and continued with reconnaissance activities and additional boom deployment as needed. An alternative type of absorbent boom is being tested at 35th Street bridge.
Shoreline Branch
At multiple locations in Division C, RP personnel and contractors repositioned existing boom, deployed additional absorbent booms and pads, and conducted shoreline water flushing and removed oil contaminated debris. This Branch is initiating SCAT team deployment on 3Aug2010.
Monitoring Branch
A total of 36 surface water samples, 8 sediment samples, 14 potable water samples were collected. Air quality samples to be analyzed for H2S, VOC’s and benzene were also collected today.
Enbridge
River Branch East
In Division A, the RP installed sheet piling to isolate and protect the pipeline break area to allow for removal of damaged section and repair of the line and to protect an adjacent undamaged pipeline. Other work conducted in Division A included activities and mobilization of equipment and resources to continue and expand source material removal.
In Division B, RP personnel conducted shoreline cleanup in the vicinity of deployed oil skimmers, installed 50’ of absorbent boom at B1.5, and replaced saturated absorbent boom throughout Division B. Continuous oil recovery and skimming operations occurred throughout Division B today.
River Branch West
In Division C, there was oil collection at all active sites and boom was repositioned at location C3 to improve effectiveness.
In Division D, absorbent boom deployment, oily debris collection, and sheen/oil recovery were conducted..
In Division E, adjustments to boom deployed at E2.2 were made to improve it's effectiveness, and sheen/oil collection occurred at Location E.5. Absorbent boom was also removed and replaced at this location.
Note: Due to resident concerns, additional absorbent boom was added near the town of Augusta.
Air Ops Branch – Five over flights were conducted to detect stranded oil, to document collection points, and to review boom deployed to evaluate if adjustments are needed.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
Approximately 70,000 feet of boom, skimming equipment, and other equipment to support oil collection and removal have been deployed at thirty five locations along Talmadge Creek and the Kalamazoo River. Recovered material is being temporarily stored in frac tanks on site. Tanker trucks are transporting the material to a facility owned by the RP with available storage in Griffith, Indiana. To date, approximately 13,500 barrels of oil/water have been transported to the Enbridge facility in Griffith, Indiana, from the approximate 43,000 barrels that have been collected.
U.S. EPA and RP contractors, with the support of the U.S. ARMY 51st Civil Support Team, are monitoring and sampling air quality along the river and throughout multiple residential areas. Monitoring equipment being utilized includes UltraRAE, PPB RAE, Multi RAE, Draeger CMS Chip Reader, AreaRAE and Hapsite portable GC/MS. A heavy emphasis is being placed on specific monitoring for benzene as it is a recognized contaminant of concern for this response.
Samples were collected for analysis at an off site laboratory from surface water, river and lake water columns and private drinking wells along the length of the impacted areas of the Kalamazoo River and areas downstream of the Morrow Lake Dam. The Mud Puppy boat (U.S. EPA owned asset) also collected samples at five sites. Three types of samples are being collected by the Mud Puppy at each location, and are; 1) sediment, 2) water column, and 3) surface water.
US Fish and Wildlife Service is working with the Wildlife Branch to address wildlife impacts. A rehabilitation center for oiled wildlife has been established. A total of 47 geese, 4 ducks, 6 muskrats, 30 turtles, 2 swans, and 2 domestic geese have been recovered and are being cleaned and rehabilitated.
The USCG Atlantic Strike Team is on scene to provide assistance with RP and contractor oversight. USCG District 9 staff are also on site and have been integrated into the response effort by U.S. EPA.
NTSB and USDOT-PHMSA are on site conducting an investigation of the pipeline incident and are working with the appropriate State, Local, and Federal agencies. Enbridge has been given permission from NTSB to excavate the pipeline break. Due to high water tables and saturated conditions, excavation collapses have hindered progress. U.S. EPA will coordinate with USDOT-PHMSA and NTSB to ensure pipeline repair activities and the environmental and health and safety considerations are accounted for.
The voluntary evacuation issued by Calhoun County Health Department in consultation with Michigan Department of Community Health and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry remains in effect for several residences located immediately downstream of the spill site along the Talmadge Creek, up to its confluence with the Kalamazoo River. This voluntary evacuation was based on review of air monitoring results for benzene around oil collection areas. Sixty one residences were given notices. Twelve residences evacuated, twenty seven chose to stay and twenty two did not answer. An additional five families from outside the evacuation zone chose to evacuate.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
Enbridge is the RP.
On 27July2010, USEPA issued an Administrative Order under section 311(c) of the Clean Water Act to Enbridge. Enbridge is actively addressing all the deliverables of the Order including but not limited to; drafting an overall site work plan; health and safety plan; and sampling and analysis plan.
