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OPA |
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Emergency |
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Removal Action |
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Non NPL |
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3/18/2013 |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
Emergency Response, Oil
Major Inland Spill
RP Lead
1.1.2 Site Description
On March 18, 2013, at 2045 MDT Chevron Pipeline notified the NRC that they had a break in an 8" transmission line near Box Elder, Utah. The report indicated that a "significant" amount of diesel fuel had been discharged into a ditch that runs adjacent to, and then into Willard Bay Reservoir, which borders on the Great Salt Lake. The pipeline is located roughly 1/4 mile to the east of the reservoir shoreline. Quantity has not yet been determined. Chevron recovered 195 BBLs as of Wednesday, March 20. OSC Curtis Kimbel, PIO Matthew Allen, and two START contractors have been deployed.
Chevron Pipeline took immediate action to secure the pipeline and shortly thereafter initiated counter measures. Most of the diesel fuel was trapped behind a series of check dams and booms placed throughout the ditch. Containment boom was placed along the shoreline of Willard Bay Reservoir to keep the diesel from entering the main body of the reservoir.
Vacuum trucks began removing diesel on the evening of March 18, 2013, and countermeasures continue.
Unified Command, including US EPA, State of Utah, and Chevron Pipeline, was established on Tuesday, March 19, 2013.
1.1.2.1 Location
The pipeline break occurred approximately 1/4 mile to the east of the Willard Bay Reservoir, located adjacent to Willard Bay in the northeast portion of the Great Salt Lake. The spill site is within Willard Bay State Park located approximately 8 miles north of the city of Ogden.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Diesel fuel has accumulated in a drainage ditch and wetland area adjacent to Willard Bay Reservoir. Although initial response actions by Chevron appear to have contained most of the diesel fuel discharge, some fuel did reach the Willard Bay Reservoir shoreline. Booms were placed approximately 10 feet from the shoreline in an effort to contain the diesel and preclude it from entering the main water body of the Willard Bay Reservoir. In addition to being a supply of fresh drinking water, the Willard Bay Reservoir and adjoining shoreline provides critical habitat for migratory birds and waterfowl. The spill site is within Willard Bay State Park which is a popular destination for camping, fishing, boating and outdoor recreation.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
Significant amounts of diesel fuel have been discharged into a wetland area, and some has reached the edge of the shoreline of Willard Bay Reservoir. Boom placed along the shoreline at a distance of approximately 10 feet from shore appears, via visual inspection, to have contained fuel from entering the main water body of Willard Bay Reservoir. The shoreline remains very shallow as it departs from the wetland at a depth of several inches for some distance before reaching the main water body of Willard Bay Reservoir. Samples have been taken throughout the area, the results of which will determine the effectiveness of the response effort. Preliminary sample results are expected to be available during the next operational period.
Three beavers have been captured and tended to by Utah Department of Natural Resources, one of which was soiled with diesel fuel and required cleaning. Other observed wildlife include nonpoisonous snakes, rodents, as well as deer prints. No migratory foul have been observed although within the next two or three weeks the area is expected to be popular with returning bird populations.
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
It is anticipated that bulk diesel recovery will continue for the next few days. State and federal partners are working with Chevron Pipeline to prepare a work plan designed to remove as much residual diesel from the impacted wetland and shoreline areas as possible, while minimizing the damage the response efforts cause to the area. These activities will then likely need to be followed by a re-vegetation/rehabilitation effort.
A Shoreline Cleanup and Assessment Technique (SCAT) team has arrived on scene and will begin assessing the shoreline tomorrow. Input from the SCAT team will help provide additional information for the work plan.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
Crews will continue recovering free product, and then transition into residual recovery and remediation. Daily sampling will continue.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
Develop the work plan and sampling plan in conjunction with Unified Command partners while continuing current operations.
2.2.2 Issues
Because of the high value habitat the area provides, coupled with the fast approaching Spring migratory bird nesting season, response efforts must be expedited with care so as to minimize damage to habitat. The Unified Command is working with affected Natural Resource Trustees to develop the proper path to this end.
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