&ERA
United States
Environmental Protection Agency
QU3r
The U.S. EPA's Oil Program Center Report
Contents
Freshwater Spills Symposium 2002	 1
Phytoremediation of Petroleum Spills in
Riparian Areas: An Overview	 2
Exxon Valdez: Long Term Effects from
Residual Oil	 3
Counter-Terrorism Measures	 4
Tundra Treatment Guidelines	 4
The East Walker River Spill: Cleanup in a
Severe Winter Environment	 5
Contingency Planning for Oil Spill Acci-
dents in Brazil	 6
The Use of Ammoniated Bagasse to
Remediate an Oil Contaminated
Wetland	 7
Towards a Common Goal: Coordinating
Actions under the Clean Water Act and
the Endangered Species Act	 7
Oil Response in Fast Water Currents: A
FieldGmde	 8
Indiana Harbor Canal Project, East Chicago,
Indiana	 9
Ai Overview of a Freshwater Spill
Response: Rehabilitation of Oiled Wildlife
in Inland Areas	 10
New and Innovative Warning System ... 10
This Special Issue - Freshwater
Spills Symposium 2002
This is a special edition of the
USEPA Oil Program Center's
Update, focusing on highlighted
sessions and presentations from the
Freshwater Spills Symposium 2002
(FSS 2002) held March 19-21,
2002, in Cleveland, Ohio. Beatriz
Oliveira, FSS 2002 Chair, opened
the Symposium, welcoming all the
attendees, especially the interna-
tional representatives, and thanked
the FSS 2002 Design Team and
Dyncorp, the support contractor, for
their efforts in helping organize the
event. David Lopez, Director of the
Oil Program Center, highlighted the
fact that it was the first time the
Symposium put out a call for
papers, which met with an outstand-
ing response. Elaine Davies,
Acting Director of the USEPA's
Office of Emergency and Remedial
Response, and Captain Kurt
Carlson, with the USCGNinth
District, welcomed attendees to the
symposium in the opening session.
Ms. Davies and Captain Carlson
focused on the events of September
11, and highlighted the need to
address terrorism, improve
preparedness, and strengthen
partnerships.
Volume 4 Number 5
This year's plenary session
speakers were Mike Gerber, Ohio
EPA; Herb Oertli, USCG; Jim
Augustyn, USEPA, Region 5; and
John Gulch, City of Toledo,
Division of Environmental
Services. They introduced
everyone to the Symposium's theme
in a presentation on "Maximizing
Prevention through Partnerships" by
delineating several incidents where
various agencies, offices and
responsible parties worked together
to minimize the impact and prevent
potential damages to the environ-
ment. Prominent issues addressed
at this year's Symposium included
counter-terrorism measures,

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May 2002
sensitivity mapping and GIS, as
well as scientific aspects of
bioremediation, residual oil
toxicity, and phytoremediation. In
addition, the maintenance of oil
storage tanks was discussed, and
there were a number of presenta-
tions highlighting the recent efforts
in the prevention, preparedness and
response to inland oil spills in
foreign countries.
The Symposium promoted coordi-
nation of prevention, planning, and
response efforts in freshwater
among federal agencies, states,
tribes, local governments, industry,
and international communities.
Partnerships within the national and
international response community
increase coordination of knowledge
and accessibility of resources
between agencies, industry, and
vested organizations. Various
groups from international environ-
mental agencies frequently visit
EPA to exchange information, share
experiences dealing with the
management of inland and freshwa-
ter oil spills, and to establish or
enhance partnerships with the
bodies governing oil spills in the
United States. FSS 2002 included
nearly 80 presentations attended by
approximately 300 registrants, with
representation from industry,
federal, state, tribal, and local
governments and agencies. In
addition, the 2002 meeting had
more international attendees than
any previous Symposium, with
representatives from countries
including Australia, Brazil, Canada,
France, Germany, India, Nigeria,
and Peru attending.
The goal of the Symposium is to
share the knowledge and experience
of those actively engaged in issues
related to oil spills in freshwater
environments. The presenters and
speakers share their expertise and
innovation leading to discussions,
networking, and exchange of ideas
among attendees. Through this
process, the objectives of the
Symposium are met. Some of the
highest reviews were received
through the surveys completed by
the attendees. Summaries of some of
the presentations are included on
the following pages along with
contacts for more information. A
complete agenda of this year's
Symposium, will be available on
the EPA web site at www.epa.gov/
oilspill.
Phytoremediation of Petroleum
Spills in Riparian Areas: An
Overview
Presenter: Mark Nega and
Christopher Rog, Sand Creek
Consultants, Inc. - (715) 365-1818,
mnega@ sand-creek, com,
chrisr@sand-creek.com
Phytoremediation relies on the use
of plants as a means of environmen-
tal restoration. The plants work as
a natural pump and treat system to
remove the oil or other contami-
nants from the soil. Riparian areas
are ideal candidates for the use of
phytotechnologies because the
contamination is primarily kept
close to the ground surface. The
knowledge of this process has
grown tremendously over the past
decade.
The process of phytoremediation
consists primarily of three steps:
rhizodegredation, phytodegredation,
and hydraulic control of the
groundwater. All three of these
processes are responsible for the
enhancement of plant remediation.
Rhizodegredation increases the
oxygen in the soil, microbiological
activity, the amount of organic
matter, and the porosity of the soil.
The hydraulic uptake and control
slowly help with the removal of the
contaminant. The roots of the plants
remove the contaminants and water
from the soil.
At a specific site, the
phytoremediation process consists
of several components. Before the
initiation of remedial activities, a
basic site assessment should be
conducted. This assessment may
include soil and groundwater
sampling to determine the ph, levels
of volatile organic compounds, and
other preliminary tests. The
existing plant community should be
surveyed to determine whether the
plants will phytoremediate or are
merely tolerating the soil. Litera-
ture exists for known
phytoremedation plants along with
the limits on the amount of contami-
nants each plant can uptake.
Treatability and feasibility tests
should be conducted at each site.
These tests usually take at least one
year. The tests should determine
whether the plant will remediate or
just tolerate the soil. It is important
to remember that germination rates
are not the same as survival rates,
and survival rates are not the same
as remediation rates. Treatability
and feasibility tests are not optimal,
but are crucial to the success of the
remediation.
The final step in the process is the
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design and implementation of the
phytoremediation. The contaminant
plume must be controlled and
stabilized. The plants must be kept
healthy and growing vigorously.
Nutrient control may be used to help
the plants thrive.
A common misconception of
phytoremediation is that it can only
be employed for small contamina-
tion sites. Testing has shown that
phytoremediation can remove large
amounts of contamination from the
soil and groundwater.
The use of phytotechnologies
involves long-term remediation
efforts. This process may be used
in combination with other technolo-
gies in order to provide the optimal
remediation effort.
Phytotechnologies may offer a
cheaper alternative to conventional
remedial methods.
Exxon Valdez: Long Term Effects
from Residual Oil
Presenter: Stanley Rice, NOAA -
(907)789-6020,
jeep.rice@noaa.gov
Over $100 million have been
invested in post spill research on
the effects of the Exxon Valdez
oilspill, perhaps the most notorious
oil spill in history. Unique in the
physically isolated environment of
Prince William Sound, the Exxon
Valdez spill has had relatively few
human effects, given its magnitude.
To determine the existence and
extent of residual oil effects,
researchers asked three questions:
is there oil physically there, is the
oil biologically available to species
(bioavailable), and has there been a
fundamental change in the toxicity
of the ecology (toxicity paradigm
shift).
Examination in 2001 of originally
oiled areas has determined that oil
is still physically present. Surveys
taken 12 years after the spill show
that, of 91 sites and 9,000 pits, 53
to 58% of the sites have light,
moderate, or heavy subsurface oil
residue. Oil residue, where found,
is predominantly light and "sheeny."
Not surprisingly, however, the
greatest impact is felt at sites where
heavy or "saturated" oil residue
still persists. Residual oil is
distributed in both the upper and
lower intertidal zones. Three
particular species that have been
identified as feeling the long term
impact of residual oil are the pink
salmon, sea otter, and harlequin
duck. All share a common
characteristic, that they spawn or
feed in the intertidal zone.
Among intertidal prey species,
clams, ribbon worms, gunnel,
hermit crab, whelk, and mussels
were all found to have some
contamination, but the elevated
levels shown in the clams were by
far the most significant, at many
times greater than in the next most
contaminated species. Clams are
the prime food source for several
sea life species, including sea
otters, who showed poor population
recovery in oiled areas. In 1989,
over 1,000 otters died as a result of
the spill, and they have not returned
to the bay in their previous
numbers. Otters and ducks, both
intertidal predators, showed
elevated contamination levels and
poor population recovery in oiled
areas.
Pink salmon spawn in stream beds
where their eggs incubate in the
gravel, some of which has been
found to be oiled. Research using
dye released in the stream has
demonstrated the flow of sea water
to the stream banks during high tide,
the likely means by which oil is
delivered. Eggs incubating in the
oiled gravel showed a higher rate of
mortality; increased deformities,
including extra fins, delayed
growth, and irregular metabolism;
less effective feeding; increased
predation; and a lower percentage
of returning adults. A 40%
reduction in survival to adult stage
was measured at certain levels of
exposure in waters around Prince
William Sound. However, some
groups have questioned whether
techniques used may have influ-
enced the study results.
The body of research suggests that
Exxon Valdez has evolved from
critical toxicity to a region where
"pockets" of residual effects
persist. While levels of exposure to
remaining contamination from oil
residue may not be acute, resulting
in death, evidence shows that
chronic exposure to certain toxic
compounds at lower levels has
resulted in reduced fitness of
Residual oil
U.S. EPA Oil Program Center Update
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populations due to increased rates
of deformities and leukemia, and
decreased rates of growth, predator
avoidance, and reproductive
success.
Counter-Terrorism Measures
Presenter: MarkMjoness, USEPA
Emergency Response Pogram -
(703) 603-8727,
mj oness.mark@epa.gov
EPA's role in the National Contin-
gency Plan (NCP) has evolved from
theoretical to real time experience.
In light of the recent terrorist attacks
on American soil, EPA has had an
active role in Domestic Prepared-
ness and Response. This is
commonly known as counter-
terrorism, despite a noticeable
difference in definition between the
former and the latter.
EPA is federally mandated with
broad authority under CERCLA
Section 104 to take action when the
National Response System (NRS) is
activated. It is to act in conjunction
with the FBI, DOE, DOI, the
Federal Emergency Management
Agency, and the Department of
Health and Human Services.
Specifically, EPA's emergency
support function is to act as a
technical assistant and liason to the
FBI. EPA has a anticipatory role,
thereby making its function critical
before and after the event. EPA has
over thirty years of hazardous waste
expertise that allows it to remediate
in the case of chemical, biological,
or nuclear attacks. EPA also has a
responsiblity to communicate with
the public to educate them on
exposure to these attacks and the
impact that exposure could have on
their lives.
The Emergency Response Team
(ERT), directed under OERR, is the
special force that is be required to
respond when the national response
system is activated. The lead ERT
team, comprised of 23 technically
skilled, multi-disciplinarian experts
in groundwater and air releases, is
based out of Edison, New Jersey
and Las Vegas, Nevada. There is
also a Radiological ERT that works
in conjunction with DOE.
In cases of weapons of mass
destruction and chemical terrorist
attacks, EPA has a consequence
management role. This is different
from the role of the FBI and other
law enforcement agencies, who
have a crisis management role.
Crisis management includes
forensic investigation, while
consequence managment is more
focused on the remediation of the
release. These two roles are
counteractive to each other, and
therefore, EPA must work closely
with the FBI to educate responders
of dangers to their health while
collecting forensic evidence.
The weakest area in terms of
response preparedness is in the
realm of biological attacks. The
anthrax attacks exposed a vulner-
ability in the NRS that can only be
addressed through an increase of
pre-incident information sharing,
technology adapted to biological
contaminant remediation, and
sensitivity training in medical
monitoring.
Another gray area is the difference
between terrorist activities and
sabotage. The FBI defines a
terrorist attack as a violent act that
is dangerous to life and a violation
of the laws of a government to
intimidate that government and its
civilian population for the further-
ance of a set of political or social
objectives. There is no definition in
the composition of a specific
counter-terrorist response that
determines what type of response is
justified. Traditional definitions of
responses dictate that localized
releases are the responsibilities of
the responsible parties who must
use their own financial resources to
clean up. EPA will assist in
advising the removal of contami-
nants and ensuring the protective-
ness of the health of the community,
but it usually does not become
involved directly. There are
between 200-800 releases nation-
wide per year, and EPA becomes
direcly involved in only 10% of
those releases. Counter-terrorist
measures mandate that all federal
agencies in the NCP become
involved.
Tundra Treatment Guidelines
Presenter: Thomas R. DeRuyter,
Alaska Department of Environmen-
tal Conservation - (907) 451-2145,
tom_deruyter@envircon. state, ak.us
The sensitive environment of the
Alaskan tundra has presented
difficulties in the remediation of oil
spills. The tundra is easily
damaged, not only by spills, but
also from aggressive cleanup
activities. The transportation of
remedial equipment has degraded
the tundra. Due to the sensitive
nature of the tundra environment,
new guidelines had to be developed
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May 2002
to adapt to remedial activities on
tundra.
The Alaska Department of Environ-
mental Conservation (ADEC),
along with several other local and
federal agencies, have developed
the Tundra Treatment Guidelines
(TTG). These guidelines focus
more on the rehabilitation of the
environment rather than on reducing
the levels of contaminant to a
certain level. Reducing the levels
of the contaminant to meet other
standards, may further destroy the
delicate tundra environment.
These guidelines were based on the
history of oil spill responses in
Alaska, primarily on the North
Slope. Alaska has an extensive
history of oil exploration and
drilling. The US Navy first began
using the North Slope as a oil
reserve in the 1940's. The oil
exploration and drilling increased
over the next several decades. The
Trans-Alaska Pipeline was built in
the 1970's. This extensive history
has not come without environmental
problems. Thousands of oil spills
occur each year in Alaska. The
transportation of the cleanup
equipment, along with the spill
itself, causes damage to the tundra.
These guidelines, based on past
successes and failures, attempt to
reduce the damage to the tundra.
The Tundra Treatment Guidelines
has three main objectives. They are
to minimize the damage of the oil
spill and the remedial actions, and
to reduce the recovery period of the
tundra. The type of response
depends on the type of contamina-
tion. The remedial method will be
decided based on previous
cleanups.
For each incident, decision trees
are used to help determine what
type of cleanup will be used. These
decision trees are comprised of six
main steps:
1.	Consult with government
agencies,
2.	Characterize the site,
3.	Set treatment goals,
4.	Select treatment tactics,
5.	Assemble tactics into a strategy,
and
6.	Monitor treatment and recovery.
Remedial activities may have to
adapt to the various types of tundra.
These types include aquatic, wet,
moist, and dry tundra. The cleanup
may also have to deal with certain
weather conditions. The freezing
and melting of the tundra may
present difficulties.
The remedial activity of the
Alaskan tundra can present
difficulty due to its sensitive nature.
These guidelines have been adopted
to protect these environments as
much as possible while still
remediating the contaminants.
The East Walker River Spill:
Cleanup in a Severe Winter
Environment
Presenter: Gary Reiter, Response
Management Consultants - (719)
783-4010, r4701@aol.com
Extreme conditions marked the East
Walker River Spill on December
31, 2000, when a 6,100-gallon tank
truck rolled over an icy curve near
Bridgeport, California. The fatal
accident sent over 3,500 gallons of
crude and gas-oil directly into the
East Walker River. This was the
first large oil spill to occur in the
river, which draws sportsmen
worldwide to its celebrated trout
fishing and is vital to Bridgeport's
economy. The three-month
response was shaped by a extreme
operating environment, as well as
the needs of multiple stakeholders,
including farmers and the State of
Nevada, downstream from the spill.
The Unified Command for the
response was established by the
California Department of Fish and
Game Office of Spill Prevention
and Response (OSPR), and
included representatives from their
department, the Nevada Department
of Environmental Protection, the
responsible party (trucking
company), and, during the final
phase, the EPA.
The Three Phase approach to the
spill, implemented by the Unified
Command, consisted of containment
and gross oil cleanup, water
maintenance, and final cleanup.
Strategic objectives were defined
as: (1) to insure safety of personnel,
(2) to minimize downstream oil
spread, (3) to contain and remove
oil, and (4) to regulate water levels
according to mandatory require-
ments for fish habitat and irrigation
rights. Tactics had to be reassessed
daily based on existing conditions.
Physical hazards were significant.
Since the severe incline and thick
vegetation limited access to the oil
from the riverbank, most of the
labor had to be done manually by
workers in the river stream. The 68
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May 2002
personnel involved in the first
phase faced strenuous labor and
escalated risks from the rocks, sub-
freezing temperatures, snowfall, and
ice made slick by oil. Other threats
to personnel included mountain
lions, whose tracks were discov-
ered nearby, and later rattlesnakes,
when the weather warmed.
From the outset, response safety
was a top priority, and thorough
safety plans were developed for
activities on the stream, its banks,
the treacherous adjacent highway,
and other site terrain. Plans were
updated at daily meetings to suit
changing conditions, and no serious
injuries occurred.
The ice on the river both helped and
hindered the cleanup. One effect
was to cause water levels to rise
and fall with daily freezing and
thawing. This caused oil to be
trapped under ice and along banks,
as well as to flow up and become
encapsulated in refreezing ice. Oil
trapped beneath the ice was nearly
impossible to remove. However,
where the stream was frozen solid,
the natural ice dams contained
floating oil at "collection points."
Hundreds of gallons of the oil,
which became tar-like at low
temperatures, were effectively
removed with rakes and buckets
from these points. Sorbent "pom-
pom" oil snares placed on the ice
were effective in trapping oil as the
ice melted.
First phase responders successfully
contained the oil in California, with
only minor impacts in Nevada. For
the next month during Phase Two, a
five person crew maintained the
containment boom and other
recovery structures built during
Phase One, and conducted inspec-
tion rounds to clean up any apparent
floating oil.
One lesson learned from the Final
Cleanup Phase was a Global
Positioning System (GPS) proved
very useful at locating any remain-
ing oil concentrations. The Phase
Three program of assessment,
cleaning, and reassessment was
highly efficient with the help of
EPA-conducted GPS surveys. After
90 consecutive days of cleanup
operations, the river was inspected
by the States of Nevada and
California, Federal Resource
Trustees, the responsible party, and
private landowners, where
appropriate. It was approved for
recreational use on March 29, 2001,
in time for trout season.
Contingency Planning for Oil Spill
Accidents in Brazil
Presenter: Alvaro Souza, Federal
University of Rio de Janeiro - 55-
21-2257-1531, absj01@ig.com.br
The focus for environmental regula-
tory plans is "under construction" in
Brazil. A recent oil spill of signifi-
cant magnitude lead to the passage
of legislation in Brazil to prevent
future incidents like the one de-
scribed here from reoccuring
On January 18, 2000, a rupture in a
pipeline running between a refinery
and an oil terminal in the Guanabara
Bay, Rio de Janeiro resulted in a
spill that lasted four hours, with an
estimated 340,000 gallons of oil
spilled. Twenty-one miles of boom
were deployed in the effort to
contain the spill. Major environ-
mental damage was inflicted on
mangroves and fisheries as a result.
The damage was extensive, with far
reaching environmental and finan-
cial effects, even to industries
generally unaffected by similar
disasters, particularly tourism.
Environmental monitoring on a
national scale began three weeks
after the rupture. Although no
environmental laws relevant to such
a disaster existed, this major spill
prompted a quick response which
resulted in Act 9966, enacted just 3
months later, on April 28, 2000.
This act calls for individual emer-
gency plans, area plans, and local,
regional and national contingency
plans. Subsequently, on December
12, 2001, CONAMA Resolution
293 was passed. Resolution 293, in
conjunction with Act 9966, delin-
eates what the National Contingency
Plan (NCP) should contain, at what
levels it should operate, who the
respondent agencies are, and the
roles and responsibilities of the
support committee.
Brazil continues to deal with
environmental issues at the national
level. Often in Brazil, environmen-
tal issues are dealt with solely in
the legislative arena and their
political aspects are not addressed.
However, Brazil is still in the
initial stages of dealing with envi-
ronmental issues on a national
level, leaving much room for
evolution and improvement. There
is hope that Brazil will learn from
other countries such as the United
States that have already dealt with
similar issues.
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Burning wetlands
The Use of Ammoniated Bagasse
to Remediate an Oil Contami-
nated Wetland
Presenters: Dr. Wayne H. Hudnall
and Dr. Dean Goodin, Louisiana
State University - (225) 578-1344,
whudnall@agctr.lsu.edu
The remediation methods that have
been developed to clean up onshore
spills are not applicable for all
incidents. Sensitive environments,
such as forested wetlands provide a
unique environment, and new
remediation methods need to be
developed to accommodate these
conditions. When an environment
such as a forested wetland is
contaminated, it provides an
opportunity to develop new
remediation methods.
A well blow near Cravens,
Louisiana impacted the Kisatchie
National Forest and a nearby
wetland. Approximately 13,000
barrels of oil and 600,000 barrels
of brine contaminated the area,
killing and injuring extensive
vegetation. The loblolly and
longleaf pine trees were the most
affected.
This incident provided the opportu-
nity to develop an alternative
remediation practice with the aid of
the U.S. Forest Service. The new
method would use ammoniated
baggase to remediate the impacted
wetland. A comprehensive soil and
vegetation green house study was
also conducted to determine the
effects of the oil and brine on the
loblolly and longleaf pine trees.
Most of the surface oil was burned
from the wetland. Basic site
assessments were conducted to
determine the pH, electric conduc-
tivity, and sodium concentrations of
the wetland soil. Electrical
conductivity was an initial concern
due to the brine conditions. This
was not a problem because heavy
rains washed the brine out of the
system.
Ammoni ated bagasse was used as
an alternative method to clean up
the remaining oil in the soil. The
bagasse combined with CaC03
(lime) and topsoil from a nearby
area. Agricultural lime was
applied to the soil to establish a pH
of approximately 6.5. The
ammoniated bagasse mixture should
be added to the wetland at approxi-
mately one ton per hectacre.
The ammoniated bagasse mixture
was applied to different test plots
throughout the wetland. The
mixture was added to the test plot in
various concentrations to further
study its effect. The study was
completed after 90 days. The result
was a decrease in the amount of
petroleum hydrocarbons, especially
near the surface.
The green house experiments were
conducted to evaluate the physi-
ological effects of the oil and brine
on the trees and soil and to evaluate
the potential effectiveness of the
ammoniated bagasse in oil
remediation. The results showed
that oil is more lethal when applied
directly to the soil, while the brine
was more lethal when applied
directly to the pine trees.
Towards a Common Goal:
Coordinating Actions under the
Clean Water Act and the
Endangered Species Act
Presenter: Amy Cocanour, USCG -
(202) 267-2877,
acocanour@comdt.uscg.mil
A recent Memorandum of Agree-
ment (MO A) was signed with the
goal of establishing a protocol for
cooperation between all involved
agencies in the exercise of oil spill
planning and response duties and
responsibilities under the Endan-
gered Species Act (ESA). This
project was an outgrowth of the
New Carissa response in early
1999 in Oregon, in which miscom-
munication between the agencies
involved almost resulted in a
lawsuit. This MOA is a streamlined
approach that outlines the already
existent legal requirements of the
NCP and ESA while facilitating
cooperation and communication,
increasing efficiency, and lowering
cost.
Signed by the USCG, EPA, DOI, US
Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS),
NOAA, and the National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS) in July
2001, the most important portion of
the MOA are pre-oil spill planning,
activities during the spill, and post
spill activities.
Critical to oil spill planning is
communication between the
agencies regarding the endangered
species and their habitat in each
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May 2002
region. This requires experts from
theUSFWS and NMFS to become
involved through the National
Response System. The goal is to
have all this information readily
available, using the area committee
planning (ACP) process as the
vehicle. This will enable the on-
scene coordinator (OSC) to make
the best decisions without having to
worry about legal ramifications
when responding to spills. The
MOA contains a template, labeled
Appendix C, which can assist in
developing the formal consultation
and planning processes.
During the response process,
notification will take place as
agreed upon by all parties in the
ACP. This will facilitate any
emergency consultations that are
required. These consultations are an
outgrowth of the unknown and
unforeseeable contingencies
specific to each spill (e.g. animals
present, environment, weather, type
of spill). Emergency consultations
will enable a more efficient and
timely response. These responses
will continue until all removal
operations are complete, as defined
in 40 CFR 300.320(b).
After the response is complete, the
OSC will be able to initiate formal
consultations regarding the
adversely impacted species or
habitat. The requirements of these
consultations are included in the
Services' Consultation Handbook.
Finally, all pertinent information
from the FWS or NMFS official
will be included as lessons learned
at the discretion of the OSC. This
will enable the OSC to make
improvements in the ACP and future
spill response activities.
Oil Response in Fast Water
Currents: A Field Guide
Presenter: Kurt Hansen, USCG -
(860) 441-2865,
khansen@rdc.uscg.mil
The immediate response and effec-
tive containment of oil spills have
proven to be difficult challenges for
many oil spill response teams, most
notably when dealing with spills
that occur in fast water currents, or
any current moving faster than one
knot. Because each response is
tailored to the site-specific condi-
tions of the affected area, there are
unique characteristics that must be
taken into account when responding.
For this reason, in order to ensure
timely and effective containment, it
is essential that the responding
teams are knowledgeable of the
conditions they will encounter at the
site of a spill. A field guide has
been developed by multiple govern-
ment agencies, the USCG, and
commercial response companies
that helps make the preparation for
a spill response more manageable,
from an information perspective.
The guide does not cover the basics
of a response, such as what types of
equipment (e.g. booms or skim-
mers) and chemicals to use, but it
provides useful information on
different boom deployment tech-
niques, site selection for the best
locations to deploy boom, such as
natural collection points in a river,
and estimated current speeds. The
importance of boom angles and
anchoring are also emphasized.
Different boom deployment tech-
niques, include DOWCAR, cas-
cade, multiple cascade, J shape,
deflection, and shore seal. Measur-
Cascade Diversion Boom
ing current speed is a key element
of accurately determining what
materials and deployment tech-
niques are necessary for a particu-
lar site Water flow rates in a river
vary depending on multiple factors,
such as the different points in a
river, annual precipitation, and time
of year. Although flow rates
change, their estimation is important
so that response issues such as
lengthwise boom towing forces can
be determined. This information is
not only necessary to decide how
large a boat is required to tow the
boom to the desired location, but
also for the purposes of tension
measurements and effective anchor-
ing to keep the boom stationary.
In addition to the normal consider-
ations of a spill response, the guide
discusses special conditions and
alternate techniques, such as han-
dling oil under ice, both broken and
solid. Trenching ice is discussed,
as are sorbent applications, alterna-
tive methods of containment or
exclusion, such as pneumatic boom
and water jets, and other flow
diversion techniques/issues, such as
moored vessels and barges, ship
propeller washes, log booms, and
treatment of debris in water.
The guide provides numerous
models and diagrams from which to
create a rough guide to a response,
complete with basic formulas used
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May 2002
for determining estimated water
flow values and desired boom
angles as relevant to flow rates.
The second chapter of the guide
outlines the decision steps for
selecting fast water response
strategies, allowing a response team
to consolidate the information
relevant to the team's specific site.
The information can then be plugged
into a decision approach, creating a
rough guide to what type of re-
sponse is necessary at a particular
site.
Indiana Harbor Canal Project,
East Chicago, Indiana
Presenter: Betty G. Lavis, USEPA,
Region 5 -(312) 886-7183,
lavis.betty@epa.gov
Although East Chicago, Illinois has
been an industrial center of oil,
steel, and chemical production for
over 100 years, concerted efforts to
keep oil out of the water are
relatively recent. The five-mile
Indiana Harbor Canal was built to
Lake Michigan from 1901-1909,
and its shoreline and sediment are
saturated with oil from a century of
pollution. Over the years, EPA has
been involved in many area studies,
and companies and land owners are
responsible for some clean up and
improving environmental practices.
However, the problem is pervasive,
and oil from known and unknown
seeps and runoff continues to float
on the canal's surface, affecting
wildlife and groundwater.
Despite contamination, the area is
the second largest fly way for
migratory birds in the continental
United States. Migratory birds,
such as heron and great white egret,
use the canal as a resting and
feeding place, and some stay in the
surrounding wetlands, though young
are rare in the oiled areas. Visible
on the canal are oiled wildlife and
fish kills — fish from Lake Michigan
or elsewhere unfortunate enough to
have entered the canal.
EPA Region 5 has recently initiated
a pilot project to reduce oil in the
canal and to explore methods of
shoreline cleanup to complement
the dredging. The project is in
partnership with local and national
agencies, including the U.S. Coast
Guard, the State of Indiana, the City
of East Chicago, U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Services, U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers, U.S. Department of
Transportation Office of Pipeline
Safety, U.S. Forest Service, Purdue
University, and industry partners.
Together, these groups seek to
create a "portable process," one
that can be duplicated in other
waterways with similar problems.
Current activities involve regular
inspections of the canal to identify
and prevent illegal discharge, taking
enforcement actions where needed.
Abandoned pipes are being
removed, and cooperation is
ongoing with the Corps of Engi-
neers dredging projects. Alterna-
tive methods of cleanup are also
being pursued where appropriate,
including bioremediation,
phytoremediation, and filterpress
technology.
Sampling during the summer of
2001 showed oil content levels of
27-35% on the shoreline.
Filterpress technology, which is
used by the oil industry, involves
squeezing oil out of soil mechani-
cally, and can reduce oil by 90% or
greater. Project members, with
EPA's Office of Research and
Development, are looking at this
and other ways to reduce oil levels
and increase oxygen to assist
bioremediation processes. Experi-
mentation with phytoremediation, or
the use of plants and trees, such as
willows and poplars as "extraction
wells" to suck up large amounts of
contaminated groundwater, has also
been conducted, and plants that are
successful will be planted soon. If
phytoremediation is viable, plants
and trees will help prevent off-site
migration of contaminated water
and improve the area's appearance
and can be harvested after they have
served their purpose.
The ongoing project faces chal-
lenges and high expenses. The
"spaghetti" mix of active pipelines
which must not be di sturbed and
abandoned or leaking pipelines
which must be fixed or removed
creates the challenge of avoiding
damage and additional contamina-
tion. Other cleanup challenges are
due to high winds and the seiche
effect (oscillation and rebounding
of water), as well as the sheer
volume of contaminated sediment
and shoreline.
Great White Egrets near pipeline
U.S. EPA Oil Program Center Update
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May 2002
An Overview of a Freshwater
Spill Response: Rehabilitation of
Oiled Wildlife in Inland Areas
Presenter: Eileen Gilbert, Tri-State
Bird Rescue and Research - (302)
737-7241, gilbertei@aol.com
Generally, when dealing with a
freshwater oil spill response as
opposed to an ocean spill response,
it is common to find smaller
amounts of contaminant product
(spilled fuel), although the spills
tend to occur more frequently and
usually involve refined products.
The habitats and species that fresh-
water spills generally affect are
also more diverse. For this reason,
when looking from a rehabilitation
standpoint, it is extremely important
to be knowledgeable of all of the
effects that an oil spill would have
on wildlife and the surrounding
habitat. When looking at internal
effects, factors such as inhalation,
ingestion, and absorption through
the skin need to be considered. The
medical effects of exposure can
range from dehydration and irrita-
tion of the skin, eyes, and mucousal
surfaces to reproductive, endocrine,
and nervous system damage and
organ failure. External effects can
result in an inability to fly for birds,
a loss of buoyancy as animals
become like sponges onto which oil
can accumulate, and a loss of
orientation and equilibrium.
Several components are involved in
a successful rehabilitation effort.
First, notification of the proper
authorities must take place. Upon
notification, Tri-State contacts
DOI's Fish and Wildlife Service
and the state wildlife agency, to
ensure that all concerned parties are
informed about the spill and the
subsequent response effort. Tri-
State's three major wildlife re-
sponse strategies are to control the
release and spread of oil, to keep
unaffected animals away from the
oil, and to capture and rehabilitate
affected animals. For these events
to take place successfully, there are
several field considerations to be
made. An assessment of resources
and risk must be done, a task that
includes looking at the breeding and
migratory patterns of the animals of
an affected area. Deterrent options
must also be considered to deter-
mine the best way to keep unaf-
fected animals out of the contami-
nated areas. A field safety plan
must be in place. The issue of
secondary contamination must also
be considered, as some animals
may feed off of oiled animals (such
as scavengers or predators), while
other animals may move into a
contaminated area and then return to
their young, exposing them in turn.
The retrieval and transport of oiled
animals must be coordinated, and
records of the degree to which these
animals are affected must be initi-
ated in the field so as to provide a
history for a more thorough medical
evaluation once those animals are
transported to a rehabilitation
facility.
The selection of a wildlife facility
also requires the consideration of
several factors. A facility must be
geographically close to a spill site,
but not on the site. The facility must
be climate controlled, it must have
ample space, water, electricity and
access to heating, ventilation and
air conditioning. A wildlife facility
site safety plan must be developed
once the site has been selected.
After the animals have been trans-
ported and the medical evaluations
have taken place, several compo-
nents of a successful cleaning,
include making sure that the water
temperature, pressure, and hardness
are all ideal for the animal being
washed, according to body tem-
perature, size, and other factors,
must be provided for. The type of
detergent used to clean the animal is
also very important. Detergents and
soaps are solvents. Being so, the
danger exists that the product may
not completely wash away after
rinsing. Some products adhere to
fur or feathers causing the animal to
appear more and more "wet" and to
lose body heat increasing the
chance of hypothermia.
After a successful cleaning, the
rehabilitation effort moves to post-
cleaning care, where the animals
are reintroduced to their natural
photo period, provided with the
proper nutrition, provided with
pools, waterproofed, and accli-
mated to outdoor temperatures. At
this stage, behavioral observations
of the animal, in addition medical
monitoring, are key in determining
the eventual release of a success-
fully rehabilitated animal.
New and Innovative Warning
System
Presenter: S. H. Jackson, Iberville
Parish, Louisiana, Local Emergency
Planning Committee - (225) 687-
5140, oep911@bellsouth.net
With the emphasis of emergency
planning and preparedness being on
timely response, the Iberville Parish
10
U.S. EPA Oil Program Center Update

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May 2002
of Louisiana, in conjunction with
local industry and businesses,
emerges with an innovative
emergency notification system that
can be activated within seconds at
an extremely low cost to all parish
businesses. The E-merge/E-Notify
notification software system,
developed by S.H. Jackson of
Iberville's Local Emergency
Planning Committee and local
contractors, allows industry to
notify the parish government of
emergencies using the Internet and
email capabilities. The system
furthers the use of the Internet to
notify local AM radio and televi-
sion stations, and local responders
and to activate community sirens
using a computerized telephone
ringdown system.
The system is relatively simple in
design. Industry has a template
email that contains vital information
regarding the nature of the emer-
gency, which is sent to the Iberville
Office of Emergency/911 Center. A
computerized map shows the
affected area to the operator, thus
eliminating the potential for human
error. Also, the map contains links
to information regarding emergency
response teams, law enforcement,
community warning sirens (which
can all be set off with the push of a
button), and media outlets. This
information can be forwarded
within seconds. Telephone calls can
be made simultaneously via a
computerized telephone ringdown
system, further eliminating the
potential for human error or lack of
information, to all emergency
responders needed. Since all of this
is done via the Internet, the only
tools the industries need are a
computer and access to the internet.
This cuts costs further.
Iberville Parish currently uses the
system for notification in a variety
of ways, including chemical spills
from local plants into the commu-
nity and the Mississippi River, the
Intracoastal Canal, and the
Atchafalaya Basin. Also on the alert
system are railroads, water and
sewer plants, electrical generating
facilities, natural gas lines,
interstate highways, 2 state prisons,
2 National Guard facilities, a
hospital, 11 schools, and 33,000
residents.
While the system was created
through contractors volunteering
time, those same contractors can
now be contacted and hired to
create similar systems for every
interested community.
This system can be revamped to
encircle a larger audience as well.
Using geographic information
system (GIS) capabilities, a similar
system can be created to monitor the
entire nation. The potential of
decreasing emergency reaction time
will only be further enhanced on a
nation-wide scale.
Issues of security and access in
storing the database can be
contracted out. Bell South already
houses the database. The database
is self contained in a secure
location that cannot be broken into.
The security measures include both
virtual and physical security blocks.
The Iberville Parish E-Merge/E-
Notify emergency notification has
already received international
attention during a presentation at the
EPA International Hazardous
Material Spills Prevention and the
EPA Region III Chemical Emer-
gency Preparedness Conference in
the past year. As a result of the
success of their system, EPA
presented its Chemical Emergency
Prevention and Preparedness
Partnership Award to the Iberville
Parish.
About The Update
The goal of the EPA Oil Program
Center Update is to provide straight-
forward information to keep EPA Re-
gional staff, other federal agencies
and departments, industries and
businesses, and the regulated com-
munity current with the latest devel-
opments. The Update is produced
quarterly, using a compilation of sev-
eral sources. The views expressed
here are not necessarily those of the
US EPA.
Oil Spill
Progran^
U.S. EPA Oil Program Center Update
11

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