Pollution/Situation Report Profile

Scioto Mile Oil Spill Site
Columbus, OH - EPA Region V
POLREP #1
Initial and Final POLREP

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Scioto Mile Oil Spill Site - Removal Polrep
Initial and Final Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region V

Subject:

POLREP #1
Initial and Final POLREP
Scioto Mile Oil Spill Site
Z5MW
Columbus, OH
Latitude: 39.9635767 Longitude: -83.0062186

To:

Freddie Thompson, USCG
Mark Durno, U.S. EPA
Lindy Nelson, U.S. DOI
Kevin Clouse, Ohio EPA
Mindy Clements, U.S. EPA
Sherry Fielding, U.S. EPA
Chris Holmes, Ohio EPA

From:

James Augustyn, OSC

Date:

3/12/2014

Reporting Period:

3/10/2014 - 3/14/2014

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Site Number:	Z5MW	Contract Number:
D.O. Number:		Action Memo Date:
Response Authority:	OPA	Response Type:	Emergency
Response Lead:	USCG	Incident Category:	Removal Action
NPL Status:	Non NPL	Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:	3/11/2014	Start Date:	3/10/2014
Demob Date:	3/12/2014	Completion Date:	3/11/2014
CERCLIS ID:		RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:		State Notification:
FPN#:	E14507	Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category

Emergency Response. NRC Report # 1076232

1.1.2 Site Description

On March 10, 2014, construction contractors for the City of Columbus observed sheen, dark brown oily liquid, and petroleum odor during excavation activities along the northern bank of the Scioto River in downtown Columbus, Ohio. The excavation activities were related to a construction project coordinated by the City of Columbus to create public green space along the Scioto River. Construction contractors notified the Ohio EPA of the release of oily waste to a State waterway.

1.1.2.1 Location

The site is located along the northern bank of the Scioto River in downtown Columbus, Ohio. The approximate endpoint coordinates of the source area are 39.964578 degrees latitude and -83.007844 degrees longitude (western endpoint), and 39.964248 degrees latitude and -83.007153 degrees longitude (eastern endpoint).

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

Excavation activities by construction contractors for the City of Columbus caused oily sediments to release dark brown oily liquid and sheen to surface water of the Scioto River on March 10, 2014. The total volume of petroleum-contaminated sediment at the site is unknown but believed to be approximately 60-80 cubic yards. Volume of oily liquid observed in boom location was appoximately 50 gallons.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

Oily liquid samples were shipped to the U.S. Coast Guard laboratory for analysis for oil fingerprint characteristics. Rush analytical results are anticipated Friday, March 14, 2014.

The Ohio EPA also collected water and sediment samples from the source area on March 11, 2014. Analytical results are pending.

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Narrative

OEPA requested USEPA assitance with the site (NRC report # 1076232). The Ohio EPA mobilized to the site on the afternoon of March 10, 2014, and installed hard booms around the perimeter of the source area along the north bank of the Scioto River. On March 11, 2014, the EPA mobilized federal contractors to contain and stabilize the release. The immediate threat of release to the Scioto River was addressed by the EPA and the Ohio EPA by 1800 hours on March 11, 2014. Further cleanup, disposal, and recovery activities will be conducted by construction and environmental contractors for the City of Columbus with oversight by the Ohio EPA Central Division Office located in downtown Columbus, Ohio.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

On March 11, 2014, EPA mobilized ERRS and START contractor personnel and equipment to the site. At 0900 hours EPA met with representatives from the Ohio EPA and contractors for the City of Columbus to discuss observations and site activities.

Between 1000 and 1100 hours START collected two samples of dark brown oily liquid from the source area along the north bank of the Scioto River. Samples were shipped to a laboratory for the U.S. Coast Guard for analysis of petroleum fingerprint characteristics. Samples of surface water and sediment were also collected by the Ohio EPA in the source area for laboratory analysis.

At 1130 hours contractors for the City of Columbus used a track-mounted excavator to construct an earthen ditch along the north bank of the Scioto River to temporarily contain oily sediment and debris removed from the source area. The dimensions of the earthen ditch were approximately 50 feet long by 25 feet wide. The earthen ditch was lined with plastic sheeting to prevent infiltration into surrounding soil.

Between 1130 and 1300 hours ERRS contractor personnel donned PPE, including waders and personal floatation devices, and and used sorbent pads to manually remove dark brown oily liquid from surface water in the source area.

At 1415 hours EPA and Ohio EPA met at the site with personnel from the City of Columbus and their construction and environmental contractors to discuss temporary stabilization of the release by EPA and cleanup and disposal activities that will be conducted by contractors for the City.

At 1500 hours ERRS installed sorbent booms along the same hard boom perimeter installed by the Ohio EPA.

Between 1500 and 1600 hours an excavator operator for the City of Columbus scraped oily sediment and debris from the source area and placed it inside the earthen ditch lined with plastic sheeting. Some petroleum odor was observed while sediments were disturbed by the excavation activities. Wind was predominantly out of the southwest, and the odor dispersed approximately 100 feet downwind.

By 1630 hours ERRS finished installing sorbent booms around the southern lip of the earthen ditch and covered the oily sediment and debris with additional plastic sheeting.

Between 1630 and 1750 hours ERRS, Ohio EPA, and environmental contractors for the City of Columbus continued installing additional sorbent and hard booms along the north bank of the Scioto River around the perimeter of the source area.

At 1800 hours a roll-off box was delivered to the site and lined with plastic. Used sorbent pads were bagged and placed inside the roll-off box for disposal, to be coordinated by contractors for the City of Columbus.

At 1815 hours all EPA, ERRS, and START personnel departed the site.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

Some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were detected in sediment samples collected by contractors for the City of Columbus and reported to the Ohio EPA in a letter submitted on February 28, 2013. According to representatives from the City of Columbus, their construction and environmental contractors for the Scioto Greenways project will be required to properly remove and dispose of contaminated sediments. The City of Columbus and their contractors will work with the Ohio EPA to determine the extent of contamination and coordinate appropriate removal activities and disposal of the contaminated sediments.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

*Waste Stream*	*Medium*	*Quantity*	*Manifest #*	*Treatment*	*Disposal*

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

No further emergency removal activities are planned or anticipated by EPA or federal contractors. Additional sampling, removal, disposal, and recovery activities will be conducted by construction and environmental contractors for the City of Columbus. Regulatory authority for the site was transitioned to the Ohio EPA on March 12, 2014.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

None.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

None.

2.2.2 Issues

Contaminated sediment was stabilized in an earthen ditch lined with plastic along the north bank of the Scioto River. This was a temporary measure to prevent these contaminated sediments from generating additional oily liquids and sheen on surface water of the river.

2.3 Logistics Section

Regional Metrics
This is an Integrated River Assessment. The numbers should overlap.	Miles of river systems cleaned and/or restored	1/15^th Mile
	Cubic yards of contaminated sediments removed and/or capped	Estimated 80 c.y. removed
	Gallons of oil/water recovered	NA
	Acres of soil/sediment cleaned up in floodplains and riverbanks	.1 Acres
Stand Alone Assessment	Number of contaminated residential yards cleaned up	NA
Stand Alone Assessment	Number of workers on site	9
Contaminant(s) of Concern
Oil response Tracking
Estimated volume	Initial amount released	50-75 Gallons
Estimated volume	Final amount collected	N/A
CANAPS Info	FPN Ceiling Amount	$50,000
	FPN Number	E14507
	Body of Water affected	Scioto River
Administrative and Logistical Factors (Check X where applicable)
q Precedent-Setting HQ Consultations (e.g., fracking, asbestos)	q Community challenges or high involvement	q Radiological
q More than one PRP	q Endangered Species Act / Essential Fish Habitat issues	q Explosives
q AOC	q Historic preservation issues	q Residential impacts
q UAO	q NPL site	q Relocation
q DOJ involved	q Remote location	q Drinking water impacted
q Criminal Investigation Division involved	q Extreme weather or abnormal field season	q Environmental justice
q Tribal consultation or coordination or other issues	q Congressional involvement	q High media interest
q Statutory Exemption for $2 Million	q Statutory Exemption for 1 Year	q Active fire present
q Hazmat Entry Conducted – Level A, B or C	q Incident or Unified Command established	q Actual air release (not threatened)

2.4 Finance Section