U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Cleveland Metro Parks - Removal Polrep
Initial Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region V
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Subject:
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POLREP #1
Initial
Cleveland Metro Parks
Z5MM
Lakewood, OH
Latitude: 41.4732045 Longitude: -81.8221287
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To:
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From:
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Stephen Wolfe, On-Scene Coordinator
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Date:
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12/19/2013
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Reporting Period:
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08/13/2013 through 12/20/2013
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
Z5MM |
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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: |
Time-Critical |
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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: |
8/13/2013 |
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Start Date: |
8/13/2013 |
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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#: |
E13519 |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
Other -- Ongoing petroleum release from an unknown source
1.1.2 Site Description
1.1.2.1 Location
The petroleum release is located inside the Cleveland Metroparks, just west of the intersection of Riverside Drive and Indianola Avenue in Lakewood, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. There is a drainage channel present due to erosion from a storm water drain and the petroleum material seeps out at a point roughly 45 feet below grade at a cliff face (due to the erosion). The actual seep is located on Cleveland Metro Parks property and the area is a residential neighborhood to the east.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
On August 12, 2013, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) notified US EPA of an earlier spill that OEPA responded to on August 8, 2013. The location is at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Indianola Avenue in Lakewood, Ohio. Oil was seeping from the base of an approximate 50 foot cliff into a drainage channel in the Cleveland Metroparks. The seep is approximately 200 feet from the Rocky River. OEPA had responded and placed booms and used sorbent material to capture as much of the free petroleum material as possible. The United States Coast Guard (MSU Cleveland, District 9) had responded with the OEPA over the weekend. US EPA inspected the site on August 13, 2013 and observed petroleum material in the drainage channel at the location described by the OEPA. OEPA requested that Cleveland Metroparks personnel report the release to the national Response Center and on August 16, 2013 the report was filed (NRC Report #1057319).
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
US EPA OSC Stephen Wolfe inspected the area on August 13, 2013 and observed petroleum material in the drainage channel. Petroleum staining was evident in soils and rocks along the drainage channel. A subsequent inspection was conducted on August 20, 2013 and additional petroleum material was visible in the drainage channel (approximately 2-3 gallons). Additional inspections indicated that petroleum material continues to seep out of the geologic formation at the base of the cliff.
An inspection of the storm water drain performed on August 8 by OEPA indicated that petroleum material was not present in the storm sewer. An inspection of the storm sewer and discharge point did not indicate any petroleum staining other than at the base of the cliff face. The Lakewood Fire Department informed OEPA that none of the residential properties in the area still uses heating oil for their properties. US EPA OSC Stephen Wolfe spoke with nearby residents who indicated they lived in their homes over 20 years and do not remember any heating oil being used.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
Petroleum material continues to release from the ground into the drainage channel. Although damns are in place to stop the flow of material into the Rocky River, any petroleum material is open to the environment and heavy rains can cause the material to migrate over the damns. Cleveland Metroparks personnel continue to monitor the area and use sorbent material as needed to clean the free liquids.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
On August 8, 2013 OEPA responded to a release of petroleum material in the Cleveland Metroparks, Rocky River location. OEPA used sorbent material to clean as much of the petroleum material as possible and attempted to find a source for the material. OEPA investigated the storm sewer that had an outfall above where the petroleum was first observed and there was no petroleum material in the storm sewer. On August 12, 2013, OEPA informed US EPA of the release and that they could no longer continue clean up activities. US EPA investigated the area on August 13, 2013 and observed petroleum material in the area indicated by the OEPA. The drainage channel was dry as the only flow comes from storm water and OEPA had installed sorbent booms along the drainage pathway.
US EPA, OEPA, USCG and Cleveland Metroparks personnel met on August 20, 2013 to determine a strategy for solving the problem. Cleveland Metroparks agreed to regularly inspect the area in the short term while possible sources are investigated. Cleveland Metroparks arranged for a representative from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) to inspect the area and determine if there is a possibility of an abandoned well. The ODNR inspector determined that the petroleum material was not natural and that the source could not be an abandoned well. Samples were collected by Cleveland Metroparks for disposal of the oiled sorbent material and the analysis indicated that the material was most likely old heating oil.
The OEPA responder reported that the fire department indicated that no one in the immediate vicinity has used heating oil as a primary source for heat “in a long time”. OEPA also reported that residents had informed him that they had noticed petroleum odors in the area for several years.
Cleveland Metroparks personnel installed more robust damns with sorbent material along the drainage channel in order to stop any petroleum material from reaching the Rocky River. US EPA returned to the area on September 11, 2013 and observed that petroleum material continued to seep from the area. Nearby residents informed US EPA that they had observed petroleum odors in the area over the last 5 years, they have lived in the area for over 40 years, and do not know anyone nearby that uses heating oil. US EPA requested a Federal Pollution Number in order to begin planning for long term solutions to the continuing release.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
No RPs have been identified.
US EPA investigated the possibility of using geophysics to locate the source of the oil; however, was informed that due to the geological conditions (seep is at 40 feet below grade) and interferences in the area (road, buried utilities, congested residential buildings) that this would not be possible.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
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Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Cleveland MetroParks personnel will continue to monitor the area to ensure that the petroleum product does not reach the Rocky River. They will clean any free oil with sorbent material as neccessary.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
US EPA engaged their ERRS contractor to visit the site and develop a long term solution. ERRS will install an oil/water seperator at the release point and Cleveland MetroParks personnel will monitor the unit over the long term.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
Coordinate with Cleveland MetroParks on specifics concerning the installation of the oil/water seperator.
Submit an OPA90 Project Plan to USCG Case Officer to request funding.
2.2.2 Issues
The petroleum seep point is at the edge of a 50 foot cliff face and a major roadway is at the top of the cliff. The terrain surrounding the area is steep and wooded and the only access for equipment is from the west, across the Rocky River.
ERRS will need at least 1 week of warm/dry weather in order to install the unit.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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ERRS will provide all logistics for the site
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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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No information available at this time.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
U.S. EPA
Ohio EPA
Cleveland MetroParks
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4. Personnel On Site
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No information available at this time.
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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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