Bridger Pipeline, LLC, contractors for Bridger Pipeline, the EPA OSC, and four START contractors have been working to collect field data regarding river conditions, ice thicknesses, and the presence/absence of sheen or recoverable oil.

On Sunday, an oil sheen was identified 3/4-mile downstream of the Yellowstone River pipeline crossing, and at the Glendive, Montana surface intake. No sheen has been identified at the town of Savage approximately 20 miles downstream, but was reported downstream in open water where there is not an ice sheet, near Crane, Montana, which is almost to Sidney and only a couple of miles west of the North Dakota border. Assessment activities are ongoing and being conducted by Bridger Pipeline and its contractors, Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MT DEQ), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8, and the North Dakota Department of Health (ND DOH). 

Bridger Pipeline personnel have reviewed their 2010 and 2013 pipeline in-line inspection tool data and have not identified any specific issues or anomalies.  Bridger has notified all drinking water system intakes to watch for sheen. It is not clear if oil is trapped under the river ice.

The incident objectives are:

1. Provide for life safety for all responders and the public.
2. Sample/Monitor and ensure safety of downstream water intakes including Glendive.
3. Stop the release and determine source and presence of crude oil within vicinity of incident. Take measures to prevent further migration in to the Yellowstone River.
4. Find a downstream location at which to prevent further migration of product.
5. Investigate and identify locations for the reasonable recovery of free product.

• First supplies of bottled water arrived last night shortly after Dawson County issued a “do not drink” order. More truckloads of water are en route and cycling from Billings, Montana, to distribution sites in Glendive, with plans for supplying 2 gallons/person/day through the weekend.
• Responders are working to protect the intake at the water treatment plant from any slow migrating oil/sheen now that the release site has been secured.
• Glendive Public Works is working with UC to bring the municipal water treatment plan online to enable flushing of the distribution and to maintain system pressure. 
• EPA is sending a Mobile Analytical Laboratory from the EPA Region 8 Laboratory to Glendive, MT today to support drinking water assessment and clearance sampling.
• There are now 4 EPA START contractors on the site working directly with Bridger Pipeline, LLC’s contractor CTEH on the sampling/analysis.
• Montana Disaster and Emergency Services (MT DES) are looking into bringing in National Guard resources for water distribution and emergency treatment, if needed.
• Unified Command is consulting with ATSDR/CDC on a health risk assessment for both ingestion and inhalation exposure pathways for the contaminants present in the water.

• Bridger Pipeline, LLC ran a diagnostic pig through the line, evacuating fluids and attempting to locate the breach in the line with pressurized nitrogen.
• Fluids in the pipeline were being recovered for quantification of the volume spilled.
• The breach was located approximately 50 feet from the southeast bank of the Yellowstone River between the two block valves. 
• The tentative plan is to abandon this line and directionally drill a replacement pipeline crossing going forward, under the direction/oversight of DOT PHMSA.

• Crews have begun ice slotting operations in the river between the spill site and Glendive, Montana.
• Reconnaissance crews are working to identify and access pockets of trapped oil beneath the ice on the river in this same segment.
• Crews have established and are maintaining a hardened containment structure approximately 30-40 miles downstream near Crane, Montana.
• The USCG NPFC case officer and 4 Pacific Strike Team Members are coming to the site to assist with contractor oversight and safety.

• Sampling and Analysis Plans are being developed for characterizing the extent of environmental impacts, including surface water quality.
• USFWS is planning on conducting surveys of endangered species impacts, including pallid sturgeon, along the river.
• Shoreline assessments and clean-up are planned to follow the work being done on containment/recovery locations.
• The USFWS Wildlife Branch has been established, though no wildlife impacts have been observed/reported at this point.
• USFWS is also working NRDA Pre-Assessment coordination with resource trustees.

• EPA is working with ND DOH to maintain awareness of sporadic sheen sightings between Sidney, MT and the confluence with the Missouri River.
• The City of Williston, ND, has been notified of the spill and is monitoring their intakes, though dilution from mixing with the Missouri upstream of their intake is likely to reduce the threat.
• EPA has been working to notify all elected officials about the status of the response to the spill.
• EPA is in the process of notifying the Three Affiliated Tribes on the Fort Berthold Reservation about the spill and any impacts.
• EPA Region 8’s Regional Administrator is coordinating with local elected officials, offering technical assistance, and drinking water expertise, as needed, to officials in Glendive, MT.

TBD as released oil quantities are determined and oil is recovered from the river.

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

The Unified Command is focused on restoring service at the Glendive Water Treatment Plant, flushing and cleaning the distribution system and storage reservoirs, and regaining certification.  Beyond clean drinking water, the Unified Command is working on determining the extent of contamination at the site and preventing further migration of spilled crude.  The source of the crude oil has been secured and downstream water users have been notified of the incident.  Efforts are underway to protect drinking water resources and recover oil from the environment.  

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

USCG Pacific Strike Team is mobilizing four response and safety personnel to the site today.
USFWS is expected to begin conducting wildlife impact assessments and threatened/endangered species surveys, as outlined in the EPA PRFA.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

Conduct sampling to determine the extent of contamination in the Glendive, Montana, drinking water system.
Complete plan for flushing the distribution system and commence flushing.
Address impacts in the immediate vicinity of the rupture location.
Establish a location for installing barriers to continued oil migration.
Assess where collected oil can be recovered.
Address impacts, if any, to the shoreline and environment.

2.2.2 Issues

River conditions and weather are hampering access to the spilled oil. There is extensive ice cover on the Yellowstone River and the ice is not structurally sound enough in many locations to conduct response efforts. Further ice formation is creating flows of smaller chunks of ice and bergs that are hampering the ability to boom the river to prevent further migration. 

www.epaosc.org/BridgerPipeline

http://www.deq.mt.gov/yellowstonespill2015.mcpx

http://truecompanies.truecos.com/bridger/