U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Chevron-Willard Bay Oil - Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region VIII
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Subject:
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POLREP #2
Progress
Chevron-Willard Bay Oil
Box Elder, UT
Latitude: 41.3777102 Longitude: -112.0414925
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To:
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From:
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Paul Peronard, OSC
Curtis Kimbel, OSC
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Date:
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3/21/2013
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Reporting Period:
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3/18/2013 to 3/21/2013
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
Z8EP |
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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 |
Response Lead: |
PRP |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
3/18/2013 |
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Start Date: |
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Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
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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#: |
E13807 |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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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 break was due to a cracked seam, and is located roughly 1/4 mile to the east of the reservoir shoreline. Quantity has not yet been determined, however PHMSA is working with Chevron to determine the cause and scope of the failure. 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. UDEQ Drinking Water, Utah DNR, BOR, and FWS arrived on site 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 current 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. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Response Actions to Date
Chevron Pipeline has brought in several well equipped response contractors. Crews are working 24 hours a day at the site. The spill site has been divided into 5 areas, each with its own team and section manager. Several hard booms and check dams have been placed along the drainage ditch leading to Willard Bay Reservoir with underflow dams installed in strategic areas. Crews continue to actively use vacuum trucks to recover diesel fuel. The collected fuel/water mix is then taken to Chevron's refinery in North Salt Lake City for processing.
On Wednesday, March 20, Unified Command held a press conference at which Chevron, EPA and UDEQ had representatives speak with media outlets. Four local television stations, two local radio stations, and two local print news media were in attendance. At the press conference, EPA OSC Curtis Kimbel gave a brief statement of activity and fielded questions from reporters.
Incident Action Plan for operational period 2 has been approved by Unified Command and runs from March 21 0700 through March 25 0700.
Weather has created the need to continually evolve the cleanup process at the site. A thunderstorm during the night of 20-21 March required personnel to be issued a stop work order. High winds in excess of 30 mph, rain and snow have also impacted response efforts.
Sampling protocol has been implemented in which Utah will take custody of samples, deliver to the lab, analyze/QC the data, and provide data to the public.
As of 0930 Thursday, March 21, 251 BBLs of diesel fuel have been recovered at the site.
2.1.2 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
Chevron Pipeline owns the pipeline in question and is furnishing the majority of response assets for the spill response.
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2.2 Planning Section
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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 arrived on scene and has begun assessing the shoreline as of Thursday, March 21. 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.
At the request of Tribal partners, the Bureau of Reclamation will provide an archeologist to oversee any excavation at the site to ensure any Native American artifacts and/or unmarked burial sites are not disturbed. According to reports from the local Tribe, two sets of skeletal remains have been discovered in the past near Willard Bay State Park.
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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2.3 Logistics Section
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NA
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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
START and Chevron contractors are providing general health and safety monitoring. To date there are no significant incidents to report.
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
Many participating agencies (see roster next section) and stakeholders are providing input to the spill response.
2.5.3 Information Officer
EPA PIO Matthew Allen has been deployed to the Site to assist with media and public information efforts.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
EPA, UDEQ, and Chevron Pipeline are running Unified Command
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
UDEQ
UDNR
BOR
DOI
USFWS
BLM
Utah Parks and Recreation
DOT PHMSA
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4. Personnel On Site
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EPA 2
START 2
Chevron 87
UDEQ 2
UDNR 4
BOR 2
PHMSA 2
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5. Definition of Terms
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No information available at this time.
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6. Additional sources of information
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No information available at this time.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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No information available at this time.
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