For release: April 18, 2012

Contacts:
Dave Belyea, Manager, Environmental Solutions, Eugene, 541-228-1185
William Knight, Communications and Outreach, Portland, 503-229-5680

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is overseeing cleanup efforts after a tanker truck and trailer hauling fuel for Cascade Petroleum Transportation Inc., crashed while heading eastbound on State Highway 58, about five miles west of Oakridge, on Monday, March 12. The trailer spilled approx. 3,100 gallons of gasoline and 2,500 gallons of diesel fuel into a ditch along the roadside. The truck contained 4,400 gallons of gasoline but did not spill any of its contents and responders were able to pump the fuel from the truck.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Forest Service and Oregon Department of Transportation also responded to the incident.

As a safety precaution, twenty-four homes near the crash site were evacuated shortly after the accident. Residents returned to their homes later that evening.

Environmental Impact

The impact to wildlife appears minimal. The U.S. Forest Service and ODOT will monitor for negative effects on wildlife. A salamander and a trout in the immediate spill area were killed.

Minute detections of petroleum compounds were discovered in the nearby Middle Fork Willamette River and public water systems downstream were notified.

Surface water samples collected on March 27 from the confluence of the tributary running from the crash site and connecting to the Middle Fork Willamette River showed no detection of contamination. The sample from April 3 showed very low presence of xylenes at the level that does not pose a health threat to humans or wildlife. Most recent samples collected on April 10 showed no detections of contaminants.

Current Events

SMAF Environmental, a private contractor based in Prineville, continues to handle the cleanup at the crash site. Cascade Petroleum Transportation Inc. is the responsible party and is paying for all cleanup work.

Collection and disposal of the spilled oil is complete. Estimated recovery is 3,125 tons of contaminated soil, 40 cubic yards of contaminated absorbents and materials used to soak up oil and 2,175 gallons of oil recovered from surface water.

DEQ is conducting a groundwater investigation as well as monitoring the river near the crash site. Drinking water well sampling continues to show no detection of contamination. Four monitoring wells were installed between the crash site and the neighborhood wells to confirm there are no impacts to the local water wells. The initial monitoring well samples were collected April 5-6. No gasoline or diesel contaminants were detected.

Soil samples demonstrating cleanup levels at the crash site will be reviewed by DEQ. Remaining residual oil contamination levels will be assessed for extent and magnitude. Where hazardous substances remain DEQ may require additional investigation or remediation to protect public health, safety, or welfare or the environment.

Restoration work requirements at the crash site are outlined in a rehabilitation plan developed with the assistance of the U.S. Forest Service, Middle Fork Ranger District. Site grading, soil erosion measures and restoring natural vegetation will be performed under the requirements of a permit issued jointly by the U.S. Forest Service and DEQ.

Future updates and records about the long-term cleanup measures are now available at the DEQ, Environmental Cleanup Site Information database. ECSI 5721 .

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