U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Mid-Valley Pipeline Crude Oil Release - Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region V
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Subject:
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POLREP #2
Progress
Mid-Valley Pipeline Crude Oil Release
E14510
Cincinnati, OH
Latitude: 39.2598727 Longitude: -84.6656010
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To:
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From:
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Steven Renninger, OSC
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Date:
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3/20/2014
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Reporting Period:
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March 19 and 20, 2014
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
Z5MZ |
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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: |
PRP |
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Incident Category: |
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NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
3/18/2014 |
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Start Date: |
3/18/2014 |
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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: |
OEPA |
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FPN#: |
E14510 |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
Emergency Response
1.1.2 Site Description
The Mid-Valley Pipeline carrying crude oil from Hebron, Kentucky to Lima, Ohio released product into an un-named stream leading into an un-named roadside pond along East River Road and adjacent to the Great Miami River. The crude oil is contained within the pond. No observable product or sheen has been identified on the Great Miami River, which is located approximately 1,500 feet west of the pond. The pipeline is operated by Sunoco Pipeline LP and was shut down at 2232 hours on March 17th. The pipeline was installed in 1950. It is estimated that approximately 240 barrels (approximately 10,000 gallons) were released to the stream and pond. Approximately 1 mile of un-named stream is impacted with crude oil.
1.1.2.1 Location
The majority of the Site is located within the Oak Glen Nature Preserve on East Miami River Road in Cincinnati, Ohio. The un-named stream runs down a steep hillside into an un-named pond located across the street from a stone quarry located at 8953 East Miami River Road. A command post has been established on East Miami River Road (Dravo Park) north of the pond. Sunoco Logistics/Mid-Valley has established access with private land owners. Nature preserve representatives (Great Parks of Hamilton County) were onsite 3/18/14 and in Unified Command.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
There is a confirmed release of approximately 10,000 gallons of crude oil into a stream which discharges into a pond within the Oak Glen Nature Preserve. Due to the quantity of crude oil released and proximity to the Great Miami River, there is a threat of a release to navigable waters.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
On March 18, EPA OSC Renninger, Ohio EPA OSC Dale Farmer, Ohio EPA OSC Bill Lohner, EPA's START contractor, and Sunoco Logistics/Mid-Valley walked about a mile from the pond and along the stream and ending at the pipeline discharge point, which is located where the Mid-Valley pipeline crossed the stream.
Visible crude oil was observed on the surface of the pond and along the approximately 1-mile stretch of stream bed. The terrain around the impacted stream is heavily wooded and steep. Pockets of crude oil was observed within the stream.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
A Unified Command has been established with EPA, Ohio EPA, Great Parks of Hamilton County, Colerain Township and the responsible party (RP) Sunoco Logistics/Mid-Valley. The RP has contracted with SWS Environmental Services to conduct product recovery and clean up operations. OTIS and DOT are on site to assess the damaged pipeline. In addition, Hull & Associates (Hull) have been contracted as its environmental consultant. Hull is conducting air monitoring and is leading environmental assessment efforts. A command post has been established in the parking lot of Dravo Park, north of the pond. Twenty-four hour operations are established until free liquids are recovered or as otherwise directed. Coordinating agencies can be found in Section 3.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
For response actions on March 18, 2014, see POLREP 1.
March 19, 2014
EPA
OSCs Steve Renninger and Jason Sewell have responded to the emergency. OSC Renninger is the EPA FOSC during daytime operations and OSC Sewell is the EPA FOSC during the night shift operations. Unified Command operation briefings conducted at 0800 and 1600 hours. IAPs were were developed by the Sunoco Logistics Incident Management Team.
EPA PIO Ginny Narsete was on site and coordinated with Colerain Township PIO Steve Conn on public outreach and communications. Daily news briefings occurred at 1000 and 1500 hours.
Two members from EPA's Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Team (SCAT) were mobilized to the Site and will be assessing cleanup options along the impacted stream. SCAT is comprised of EPA, Ohio EPA, Sunoco Logistics, Great Parks of Hamilton County, Hull, and Entrix.
EPA START contractor has mobilized to the site to assist with assessment, documentation, sampling and monitoring activities. EPA START overseeing oil collection activities at the pond and the RPs assessment of the pipeline break.
RP
The following 4 working zones have been established:
- Zone 1 - This is the area where the pipeline breach occurred.
- Zone 2 - This the 1-mile stream section impacted by crude oil from the pipeline break (Zone 1) to the pond (Zone 3).
- Zone 3 - This is the pond where the crude oil was discharged into.
- Zone 4 - This is the area west of the pond (Zone 3) towards the Great Miami River.
The RPs conducted the following work today:
- Collected and removed pooled oil in Zone 3. RPs using skimmers and vac trucks to remove oil. RPs estimated about 3,550 gallons of oil and water had been collected and placed into a frac tank.
- Continued using absorbent pads to soak up pools of oil within sections of the stream which discharge into the pond.
- Within Zone 1, the RPs unearthed a section of the pipeline and discovered a crack in the pipeline which caused the release. The RPs assessing the damaged pipeline and will prepare a repair and restart plan for submission to DOT.
Additional work - Other State and Local agencies
Ohio EPA personnel provided oversight of a silt fence and buckets in sections of the stream to collect "cave salamanders" within the impacted stream. The cave salamander is a sensitive species in the area. The Unified Command requested the RPs to draft a plan to protect the cave salamander. The RPs will have Cardno ENTRIX work with Ohio EPA and the Great Parks of Hamilton County to draft up a Salamander Habit and Survey Action Plan.
Hamilton County Public Health and the RPs collected three water samples from residential properties surrounding the site. The water samples will be analyzed for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene.
Representatives from the Great Parks of Hamilton County (who manage the nature preserve) approved access road locations to Zone 3.
March 20, 2014
EPA
Unified Command
operation briefings conducted at 0800 and 1600 hours.
SCAT initiated assessing cleanup options within the impacted stream. SCAT will provide Unified Command with options in the 3/21/14 0800 meeting.
EPA START contractor has mobilized to the site to assist with
assessment, documentation, sampling and monitoring activities. EPA
START overseeing oil collection activities at the pond and the RPs
assessment of the pipeline break.
RP
The RPs completed the following:
- Collected and removed pooled oil in Zone 3. RPs using skimmers
and vac trucks removing crude oil on the surface of the pond. Workers are in boats removing debris to expedite removal efforts. As of 1600 hours, the RPs estimated about 3,789 gallons of oil
and water had been collected and placed into a frac tank. Additional volumes from three vac trucks were awaiting to be off-loaded to the frac tank.
- Within Zone 1, the RPs continued the assessment of the unearthed a section of the pipeline that
cracked, causing the release. The RPs assessing the damaged pipeline
and will prepare a repair plan for submission to Unified Command.
- RPs investigated the hydraulic relationship between Zone 3 and Zone 4. They feel there is a connection through the groundwater. RPs are planning to draft a plan to install some groundwater wells to determine the exact relationship.
- No oil has yet to be seen in Zone 4.
- RPs have started to construct an underflow dam upgradient from the pond. Completion of this dam is expected tonight around 2200 hours.
- RPs to bring in a third cleanup contractor to conduct operations.
- RPs reported that 105+ laborers are working the day shift and 41+ are working the night shift.
- RPs stated that they have contracted Tri-State Bird and Rescue to be on stand-by in the event oil soaked birds or other animals are encountered.
Additional work - Other State and Local agencies
Ohio EPA personnel working with Cardno ENTRIX to implement the Salamander Habit and Survey Action Plan.
Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services and the RPs
collecting water samples from residential properties. The water
samples will be analyzed for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene.
Representatives from the Great Parks of Hamilton County (who manage the
nature preserve) identified trees along the impacted stream which they would prefer not to be damaged as cleanup efforts continue and future access roads are built.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
Sunoco Pipeline LP and Mid-Valley Pipeline are the responsible parties. A Notice of Federal Interest was issued by OSC Renninger to Sunoco Pipleine LP representatives at 0800hrs on 3/18/2014.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
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Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
EPA
- EPA will continue oversight of response activities;
- PIO will continue outreach, communication and coordination to the public and media; and
- EPA START contractor will continue documentation, assessment, sampling and monitoring activities.
PRPs
- Continue skimming and vacuum operations on the pond (Zone 3)
- Continue 24-hour cleanup operations
- Continue IMT Planning Cycle and IAP development.
- Sunoco will submit a repair and restart plan for the damaged pipeline for DOT approval.
- Continue perimeter air monitoring
- GPS all boom placement locations and apply to a map
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
See Section 2.2.1.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
See Section 2.2.1.
2.2.2 Issues
- News (media) briefings will be conducted daily at 1000 hours and 1830 hours.
- Unified Command briefings will be conducted daily at 0800 hours and 1600 hours.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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EPA has mobilized a mobile command vehicle and two ATVs to the command center location.
Hamilton County provided three tents for response meetings/support.
The Incident Command Post is in Dravo Park on 9225 East River Road.
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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
The RPs have a Safety Officer on site. A daily Health & Safety Plan is being submitted with the IAP at 0800 hours.
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
2.5.3 Information Officer
See Section 2.5.2. There is a high level of press interest in the incident. Media Briefings are conducted at 1000 and 1830 hours at the Dravo Park. Colerain Twp Steve Conn is the PIO.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
Unified Command has been established with EPA, Ohio EPA, Great Parks of Hamilton County, Colerain Township and Sunoco Logistics/Mid-Valley. Sunoco Logistics has mobilized an Incident Management Team.
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services
Hamilton County EMA
Hamilton County Public Health
Groundwater Consortium
Colerain Township FD
US Fish & Wildlife Service
U.S. Department of Transportation
Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Division of Wildlife
Hamilton County Parks
U.S. DOT PHMSA Office of Pipeline Safety has been onsite and is investigating the cause of the release.
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4. Personnel On Site
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US EPA - 5
START - 2
Ohio EPA - 8
RP representatives and contractors - 150
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5. Definition of Terms
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EPA - Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA Region 5)
RP - Responsible Party
SCAT - Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Team
START - Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team
PIO - Public Information Officer
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6. Additional sources of information
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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
http://www.epaosc.org/midvalleycrudeoilrelease
6.2 Reporting Schedule
The next POLREP will be issued as needed.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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No information available at this time.
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