U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Duchesne Oilfield Dumping Incident - Removal Polrep
Final Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region VIII
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Subject:
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POLREP #2
Completion of Removal Actions
Duchesne Oilfield Dumping Incident
Z8DM
Duchesne, UT
Latitude: 40.1569600 Longitude: -110.4014500
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To:
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From:
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Steven Merritt, On-Scene Coordinator
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Date:
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10/12/2010
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Reporting Period:
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10/2/2010 - 10/6/2010
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
Z8DM |
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Contract Number: |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
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Response Authority: |
OPA |
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Response Type: |
Emergency |
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Response Lead: |
EPA |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
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NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
9/27/2010 |
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Start Date: |
9/24/2010 |
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Demob Date: |
10/6/2010 |
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Completion Date: |
10/6/2010 |
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CERCLIS ID: |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
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FPN#: |
E10814 |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
Z8DM |
1.1.1 Incident Category
Illegal Dumping
1.1.2 Site Description
No Change - SEE POLREP 1
1.1.2.1 Location
No Change - SEE POLREP 1
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
No Change - SEE POLREP 1
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
No Change - SEE POLREP 1
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
The emergency response actions taken at this site were directed at immobilizing large quantities of paraffinic oil discharged into the Strawberry River, at containing mobile oil globules in impacted streches of both the Duchesne and Strawberry Rivers, at collecting and removing bulk oil from impacted substrates, and at capturing and recovering as much oil as possible from the impacted rivers using flow adjustment and shoreline agitation. Given the viscous nature of the crude oil spilled, the delicate river ecosystems impacted by the spill, the concerns for threatened and endangered species in the impacted areas, and the concerns expressed by downstream water right holders, the response was focused on recovering as much discharged oil as possible without causing significant additional harm to the natural resources and habitat of the Duchesne and Strawberry Rivers or the surrounding community.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Work was focused on the segment of the Strawberry River from the spill site to the confluence with the Duchesne River. OSRO crews assigned to this area were responsible for removing any residual patches of oil along the shorelines and in the river substrates before a final flush to mobilize smaller globules for recovery. Other OSRO crews were assigned to maintain and clean booms that had been set along the entire impacted strech of the Strawberry River and the Duchesne River. Duchesne River flows were sustained at 140 CFS during this period. Strawberry River flows were approximately 50 CFS. Scott Hacking, UDEQ, and Darrin Brown, TCHD, were overseeing operations on behalf of EPA.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Work continued on the segment of the Strawberry River from the spill
site to the confluence with the Duchesne River. OSRO crews removed final traces of residual oil
along the shorelines and substrates in advance of before a final flush of 300 CFS in the Strawberry River to
mobilize any remaining oil and permit collection and recovery in downstream containment. OSRO crews worked only part of the day on Sunday and there was limited progress made toward preparing for the flush and EPA was engaged by Unified Command to return and apply pressure to the OSRO to complete the removal action, finalize waste disposal, and demobilize responders.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Work completed on the segment of the Strawberry River from the spill site to the confluence with the Duchesne River. The EPA OSC returned to the site and, in consultation with the officials from Duchesne County, Ute Tribe, UDEQ, and TCHD, ordered the boom removed from the Duchesne River downstream of the confluence in the afternoon. This set the conditions for increasing the flows on the Strawberry River and completing the flushing operation. OSRO personnel established an equipment decontamination and disposal area at the Duchesne County Fairgrounds and began demobilizing subcontract personnel.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
The Unified Command commenced the flush of the Strawberry River using 300 CFS from Starvation Reservoir. Remaining OSRO personnel removed downstream containment boom in advance of the flush and monitored the river during the flush to document the amount of trace residues mobilized. Other OSRO personnel worked with a local disposal firm to clean out vacuum trucks and dispose of wastes. Additional crews were demobilized from the scene at the end of the day.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Demobilization of all remaining resources from the scene and final disposal of all wastes was completed. The removal action ended as normal flows were returned to the watershed from Starvation Reservoir.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
Unknown. Investigations ongoing by the Duchesne County Sheriffs Department and the EPA Criminal Investigation Division. A $10,000 reward has been offered by the Duchesne County Sheriffs Department for information leading to the perpetrator of this incident.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
| Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Treatment |
Disposal |
Crude Oil (Recovered)
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Liquid |
~18 bbls
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None |
Landfill |
Oiled Substrate
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Solid |
1500 lbs
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None |
Landfill |
Oily Water
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Liquid |
6000 gallons
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Produced Water Treatment Facility
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None
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Coordinate with Duchesne County to finalize costs under the established Pollution Reimbursement Funding Authorization (PRFA) through the U.S. Coast Guard National Pollution Funds Center (NPFC). Pay invoices from the OSRO for legitimate removal costs incurred under the direction and authority of the EPA On-Scene Coordinator.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
All remaining response activities have been completed as of 10/6/2010.
The scope of the removal action was as follows:
1. Complete gross removal of crude oil on the Duchesne River below the confluence with the Strawberry River. Completed on 09/30/2010.
2. Increase flow of Duchesne River to facilitate mobilization of remaining free product crude oil into containment booms and filter booms. Completed on 10/1/2010.
3. Collect and recover mobilized oil at containment booms and filter booms on the Duchesne River. Completed on 10/4/2010.
4. Remove unnecessary/ineffective boom from Duchesne River and Strawberry Rivers. Completed on 10/5/2010.
5. Complete gross removal of crude oil on the lower Strawberry River. Completed on 10/4/2010.
6. Increase flow of Strawberry River to facilitate mobilization of remaining free product crude oil into containment booms and filter booms. Completed on 10/5/2010.
7. Collect and recover mobilized oil at containment booms and filter booms on the Strawberry River. Completed on 10/5/2010.
8. Properly dispose of collected crude oil, oily debris and recovered oily water. Completed on 10/6/2010.
9. Demobilize majority of OSRO personnel and resources, leaving a skeleton crew to monitor booms and recover mobilized oil. Completed on 10/5/2010.
10. Monitor primary containment booms until recovery is negligible and then remove primary containment booms. Completed on 10/6/2010.
11. Demobilize remaining OSRO resources. Completed on 10/6/2010.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
Develop better working relationship between EPA response resources, UDEQ, Ute Tribe, TCHD, and local emergency managers in the Uintah Basin. Update and exercise the Green River sACP.
2.2.2 Issues
Response costs prior to NRC notification of the spill on September 27, 2010, are not insignificant for Duchesne County or the Ute Tribe. It is likely that these costs will be presented as claims to the National Pollution Funds Center for adjudication.
Outreach for and communication with industry, local, state and federal partners is essential to ensuring that all spills are reported in a timely fashion and that EPA response resources can be mobilized to the scene of a spill as soon as possible. In this case, the NRC notification came more than three days after the discovery of the spill and a substantial amount of response resources had already been deployed under an emergency contract between the OSRO and Duchesne County.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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N/A
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2.4 Finance Section
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No information available at this time.
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2.5 Other Command Staff
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2.5.1 Safety Officer
N/A
2.6 Liaison Officer
N/A
2.7 Information Officer
2.7.1 Public Information Officer
There have been several media stories focused on the incident and the response effort. EPA has participated in only one formal interview as part of the Unified Command. There has been a media presence for several of the coordination meetings. The Duchesne County Emergency Manager has been serving as the PIO throughout this incident, updating media outlets on the progress of the response and the ongoing criminal investigation
2.7.2 Community Involvement Coordinator
Duchesne County Sheriffs Department has been providing assistance to the Unified Command in the area of community involvement and coordination; notifying area residents and helping coordinate access for spill responders.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
Duchesne County
Utah Department of Environmental Quality
Ute Indian Tribe
TriCounty Health Department
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Central Utah Water Conservancy District
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4. Personnel On Site
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Kent Peatross - Duchesne County Commissioner
Ron Winterton - Duchesne County Commissioner
Mike Lefler - Duchese County Emergency Manager
Travis Mitchell - Duchesne County Sheriff
Misty Bruns - Ute Indian Tribe Emergency Manager
Dinah Peltier - Bureau of Indian Affairs Deputy Superintendent
Scott Hacking - Utah Department of Environmental Quality District Engineer
Darrin Brown - TriCounty Health Department Environmental Health Director
John Swayse - Duchesne River Commissioner
Keith Hooper - Central Utah Water Conservancy District Duchesne Area Manager
Tom Brunton - Central Utah Water Conservancy District Duchesne Area Manager
Scott Divin - OSRO Operations Manager
Tony Del Rosso - OSRO Foreman
Ivan Ayers - OSRO Foreman
Steven Merritt - EPA On-Scene Coordinator
Ted Owens - EPA Criminal Investigator
Chris Cline - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Scientist
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5. Definition of Terms
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NPFC - U.S. Coast Guard National Pollution Funds Center
PRFA - Pollution Reimbursement Funding Authorization
OSRO - Oil Spill Response Organization
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6. Additional sources of information
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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
For additional information, please see the following website:
www.epaosc.org/DuchesneOilfieldDumping
6.2 Reporting Schedule
This is the final POLREP for this site.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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No information available at this time.
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