&EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency For more information If you have questions, comments or need more information about the Enbridge oil spill cleanup contact: Don de Blasio EPA Community Involvement Coordinator 312-343-6666 deblasi o .don0epa.gov On the Web EPA has established a website at www.epa.gov/enbridgespill to provide information about the cleanup response. Internet access is available at these area libraries: Marshall District Library 124 W. Green St. Marshall Helen Warner Library 36 Minges Creek Place Battle Creek Willard Public Library 7 Van Buren St W. Battle Creek Public Information Hotline 800-306-6837 Cleanup Continues; Focus On Submerged Oil July 2010 Enbridge Oil Spill Marshall, Michigan August 2011 During the Spring of 2011, EPA directed the responsible party, Enbridge Energy LP, to reassess Talmadge Creek and the Kalamazoo River bottom and adjoining overbank areas. Under the direction of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, cleanup workers placed physical barriers at strategic locations in these waterways to contain oil that resurfaced as a result of wanner weather. Assessing Submerged Oil The Spring re-assessment revealed the presence of substantial pockets of submerged oil. More than 220 areas of moderate-to-heavy contamination, covering around 200 acres of river bottom, requires cleanup. The inspection also identified a small number of overbank locations and more than 300 solidified oil deposits needing cleanup. Recovering submerged oil Responders are using a number of techniques to recover submerged oil from the sediment. These methods are designed to recover submerged oil in a minimally invasive way. Sediment agitation frees submerged oil so it can be collected, removed and sent off- site for disposal. 1 ------- Assessment creivs locate and estimate the extent of submerged oil. Reopening the Kalamazoo River EPA and MDEQ are working closely with local and state health departments and Enbridge to detennine when the Kalamazoo River can be reopened. Submerged oil recovery should be completed in September. At that time, the agencies will determine whether any additional work is needed. Potential public safety risks from cleanup crews, boats and vehicles working along the river will be considered to detennine whether a portion of the nver can reopen this year. Recovering oil from overbanks After receiving permit approvals from the MDEQ, and under EPA direction, Enbridge resumed excavating oil- contaminated soil in overbank areas along the Kalamazoo River. This will greatly reduce the amount of oil sheen entering the river during rain or flooding. Solidified oil removal Weathering turns oil into a tar-like solid. Last spring, responders identified small areas of weathered oil on overbank areas. Current soil recovery operations include removal of these tarry substances using gentle techniques to minimize damage to the surrounding environment. Air monitoring and sampling EPA directed Enbridge to increase air monitoring in work areas and nearby communities to protect residential areas from potential air pollution released by the cleanup work. Odors may be present as work proceeds, especially in the Ceresco, Battle Creek and Morrow Lake areas. Monitoring and sampling will be focused in areas where odors can be detected. By the numbers (as of August 12, 2011) Oil/water mixture recovered: 15.3 million gallons Oil recovered and recycled: 766,000 gallons Soil/debris disposed of off-site: 127,000 cubic yards Personnel on site 860 Costs to date $31.3 million Temporary roads and platforms are constructed so heavy equipment can be brought in to excavate oil-contaminated soil along the Kalamazoo River. 2 ------- |