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McFarland Cascade Wood Treating Solution Spill
Tacoma, WA - EPA Region X
POLREP #1
McFarland Cascade Wood Treating Solution Spill Initial and Final POLREP

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
McFarland Cascade Wood Treating Solution Spill - Removal Polrep
Initial and Final Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region X

Subject:

POLREP #1
McFarland Cascade Wood Treating Solution Spill Initial and Final POLREP
McFarland Cascade Wood Treating Solution Spill

Tacoma, WA
Latitude: 47.2566260 Longitude: -122.4136460

To:

From:

Jeffrey Fowlow, On-Scene Coordinator

Date:

5/31/2014

Reporting Period:

5/31/2014

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Site Number:		Contract Number:
D.O. Number:		Action Memo Date:
Response Authority:	CERCLA	Response Type:	Emergency
Response Lead:	PRP	Incident Category:	Removal Action
NPL Status:	Non NPL	Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:	5/30/2014	Start Date:	5/30/2014
Demob Date:	5/30/2014	Completion Date:	5/30/2014
CERCLIS ID:		RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:		State Notification:
FPN#:		Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category
Emergency Response

1.1.2 Site Description
The McFarland Cascade Pole and Lumber Company facility is a wood treating facility that uses metal-based solutions and pentachlorophenal to treat poles and lumber for industrial and residential use. The facility occupies several acres. There are approximately 35 above-ground storage tanks (ASTs) on the property ranging in capacity from less than 10,000 gallons to 250,000 gallons.

1.1.2.1 Location
The facility address is 1640 East Marc Street, Tacoma, Washington 98421. It is located in the Tacoma Tideflats/Commencement Bay industrial area. The property is bounded on the west by the Puyallup River and on the north, east, and south by other industrial properties.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
McFarland Cascade reported that approximately 45,000 gallons of a wood-treating solution was released from an AST. The solution was released to secondary containment, to an asphalt paved lot outside of containment but within the facility property, and to an off-site storm water ditch via overland flow. The product name is Wolman E CA-C Treating Solution which is an aqueous solution of copper, ethanolamine, and possibly ammonia. The spilled wood-treating solution is considered a hazardous substance since it contains both copper and ammonia, which are also considered hazardous substances under CERCLA. The product is used for pressure treating wood products for residential use to inhibit mold, mildew, and other wood decay.

Immediate human health effects to high concentration via inhalation include irritation to eyes, nose, throat, and lungs; skin irritation; eye irritation due to direct contact, and irritation to the gastrointestinal tract due to ingestion.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
N/A.

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Narrative
At approximately 1030 hours on Friday, May 30, 2014, a nearly full 45,000 gallon capacity above-ground storage tank ruptured spilling wood treatment solution into secondary containment, onto an asphalt paved lot, and overland into an off-site storm water ditch. The release from the tank was through an approximately 3-inch diameter hole approximately 5 feet from the bottom of the AST. The cause of the rupture is unknown at this time and is being investigated by McFarland Cascade. McFarland Cascade notified the National Response Center at 1053 hours.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
EPA and START contractors and Washington State Department of Ecology Spill Response arrived on site at approximately 1200 hours. At the time of arrival, facility and response contractor personnel were pumping the solution from secondary containment into another storage tank within secondary containment.  The liquids appreared to be about two feet deep within secondary containment which, at that time, had approximately three additional feet of freeboard. By 2100 hours, all liquid within the secondary containment had been pumped into another storage tank.

An unknown quantity of solution was released outside of secondary containment onto the asphalt paved lot and had drained through an on-site drain into a storm water treatment system. Facility personnel stated the system was closed off preventing discharge to the Tacoma Public Utilities treatment plant. The captured solution will be treated prior to discharge and in coordination with Tacoma Public Utilities.

An unknown quantity of solution migrated overland beyond facility boundaries into a storm water ditch located on the eastern edge of the property (response contractors estimated approximately 100 gallons released, but based on the extent of spread within the ditch, EPA estimates at least 500 gallons). Response contractors used a vacuum truck to remove the available free liquid solution.  Contaminated soils were excavated from the point of entry from the facility to the ditch and the ditch itself and were placed into waste roll-off bins for characterization and disposal. The ditch excavation extended 192 feet long by 5 feet wide and 1 foot deep. A total of approximately 30 cubic yards of contaminated soil was removed. Response contractors for McFarland Cascade collected 15 surface soil samples within the excavated point of entry and the ditch and 2 background soil samples to confirm that the wood treating chemicals have been adequately removed. The sample results are expected within a few days and the McFarland Cascade will coordinate with Ecology's Toxic Cleanup Program to determine that cleanup has been achieved and with the Port of Tacoma to determine what materials are required to backfill the ditch.

By 2300 hours, all spill response and removal activites had been completed. McFarland Cascade personnel will be monitoring the ditch throughout the weekend to ensure no additional liquid seeps from the soil.

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

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

*Waste Stream*	*Medium*	*Quantity*	*Manifest #*	*Treatment*	*Disposal*
contaminated soil	soil	30 cubic yards	TBD	TBD	TBD

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Once analytical results of the confirmation soil samples have been received, Ecology's TCP will determine if cleanup has been adequate and backfilling the storm water ditch can begin. EPA will coordinate with the Puyallup Tribe.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
None.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps
None.

2.2.2 Issues
The cause of the rupture has yet to be determined.

2.3 Logistics Section