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Mid-Valley Pipeline Crude Oil Release

All POL/SITREP's for this site Mid-Valley Pipeline Crude Oil Release
Cincinnati, OH - EPA Region V
POLREP #3
Progress 		Printer Friendly  |   PDF
 
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Mid-Valley Pipeline Crude Oil Release - Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region V
Subject: POLREP #3
Progress
Mid-Valley Pipeline Crude Oil Release
E14510
Cincinnati, OH
Latitude: 39.2598727 Longitude: -84.6656010

To:
From: Steven Renninger, OSC
Date: 3/21/2014
Reporting Period: March 21, 2014

1. Introduction
  1.1 Background
   
Site Number: Z5MZ    Contract Number:  
D.O. Number:      Action Memo Date:  
Response Authority: OPA    Response Type: Emergency
Response Lead: PRP    Incident Category:
NPL Status: Non NPL    Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date: 3/18/2014    Start Date: 3/18/2014
Demob Date:      Completion Date:  
CERCLIS ID:    RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:    State Notification: OEPA
FPN#: E14510    Reimbursable Account #:

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.  Sunoco revised the spill amount to potentially 500 barrels (21,000 gallons) on March 21, 2014.

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 10,000-21,000 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. 
2. Current Activities
  2.1 Operations Section
    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, Clean Harbors, Environmental Restoration, Dillon, and McCutchen 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.  Coordinating agencies can be found in Section 3. 

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.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
For response actions on March 18, 2014, see POLREP 1.
For response actions on March 18 and 19, 2014, see POLREP 2.

March 21, 2014
 
Unified Command operation briefings conducted at 0800 and 1700 hours.

Shoreline Clean-up Assessment Technique (SCAT) team provided cleanup options to the Unified Command at the 0800 meeting.  SCAT and Ops conducted oil debris removal and enhanced natural stream flow to mobilize oil for future flushing operations.

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.

Notes from the 0800 and 1700 Unified Command meetings:
  • Responsible Party (RP) received sample results from water samples collected from the quarry across the street.  The water samples were analyzed for BTEX compounds.  All of the results showed non-detect.
  • RPs stated that Tri-State Bird and Rescue (Tri-State) mobilized to the site and will assist with responding to any animal that is found to be contaminated.  Several oil-impacted animals (3 salamanders and 1 crayfish) have been found during cleanup operations. Tri-State is caring for those impacted animals.
  • Hull & Associates submitted a plan to install 9 groundwater monitoring wells.  Ohio EPA reviewed and approved the work plan.  Installation of the wells to be conducted as access agreements are signed and received in properties where the sample points will be located.
  • Zone 1 - RPs installed a temporary sleeve on a section of the pipe which was compromised and continue to assess other sections of the pipeline.  A re-use plan to be submitted to DOT for approval.
  • Zone 2 - an underflow dam was installed.  A vacuum truck is at the dam collecting crude that is accumulating.  SCAT team overseeing cleanup operations within the stream.  RP contractors clearing areas within the stream to allow flow of oil to where it can be vacuumed. 
  • Zone 3 - 5 vacuum trucks and 5 skimmers are removing oil from the pond.  At least 3 boats are in the water moving the oil from the surface to areas where it can be removed.  RPs stated that approximately 9,134 gallons of oil and water (3,674 gallons of crude oil and 5,460 gallons of water) have been recovered and staged into a frac tank.  A second frac tank will be staged for additional storage.  The first frac tank will be allowed to sit to allow the oil to settle out from the water in order to gauge a better reading on volume recovered.
  • RPs stated that an additional cleanup contractor has mobilized to the site to assist in the cleanup efforts.
  • No oil has been documented in Zone 4.  Contingency boom in place.
  • RPs assigning badges to all personnel on site.

At 1230 hours, OSC Renninger and Ohio EPA OSCs conducted a helicopter overflight of the emergency.

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 collected two water samples from residential properties.  The water samples will be analyzed for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene.

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

Waste Stream Medium Quantity Manifest # Treatment Disposal
           
           
           


  2.2 Planning Section
    2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

EPA
- EPA will continue oversight of response activities;
- EPA START contractor will continue documentation, assessment, sampling and monitoring activities.

RPs
- Continue skimming and vacuum operations on the pond (Zone 3) and at the underflow dam (Zone 2)
- Continue oil-contaminated debris cleanup in the stream (Zone 2)
- Continue 24-hour cleanup operations in Zone 3
- Collect 9 groundwater samples
- Continue IMT Planning Cycle and IAP development. 
- RPs to submit a restart plan for the damaged pipeline for DOT approval.
- Continue perimeter air monitoring
- GPS all boom placement locations and apply to a map
- Initiate disposal of site-related waste, as necessary
- RPs to begin looking at long-term housing for the command post

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
- A News (media) briefing was conducted at 1000 hours today.
- Unified Command briefings will be conducted daily at 0800 hours and 1700 hours.
  2.3 Logistics Section
    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.
  2.4 Finance Section
    No information available at this time.
  2.5 Other Command Staff
    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.  Media Briefing was conducted at 1000 hours at Dravo Park.  Colerain Twp Steve Conn is the PIO.
3. Participating Entities
  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.
4. Personnel On Site
  US EPA - 3
START - 2
Ohio EPA - 8
RP representatives and contractors - 150
5. Definition of Terms
  EPA - Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA Region 5)
RP - Responsible Party
SCAT - Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Technique
START - Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team
PIO - Public Information Officer
6. Additional sources of information
  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.
7. Situational Reference Materials
  No information available at this time.

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