GSA Diesel Fuel Spill; Washington, DC

Washington, DC | 2007-Dec-22

Initial Notification: A malfunction at the General Services Administration heating plant at 13th and C Streets resulted in an oil spill. Heating fuel oil was in the process of being transferred from a day tank to a second tank when it was over filled. Oil flowed into a storm drain and then into the Potomac River adjacent to Maine Street. Majority of oil was contained via booming along the floating fish markets along Maine Street in Washington Marina. GSA contracted with Miller Marine to clean up spill. Sector Baltimore, Washington DC DEQ on-scene. Boom was deployed at appropriate areas in and around Washigton Marina. Sorbents used to collect floating oil where access was available. Majority of oil trapped beneath floating docks making recovery difficult. On Friday, 12/21, Senior Chief and FOSC Mike Steele, USCG Sector Baltimore contacted NOAA SSC to request permission to use Simple Green, a surface washing agent, to clean oiled floating docks and bulkeads. I consulted direcly with DOI, NPS and FWS. FWS (Peter McGowan) informed me that there are no federally listed species in the area and since Simple Green is practically nontoxic, they have no objection to the proposed use. As DOI and NPS likewise offered no objection, I contacted the CG and provided our concurrence. Dave Anderson at NPS has been in touch with East Potomac Park staff regarding the spill. The Park reports a light sheen adjacent to the Haines Point seawall near their HQs with a very light superficial band of oil on the seawall. At this point, the Park is not interested in having the wall cleaned due to concerns about the stability of the structure. Nonethless, I advised the CG to get in touch with the NPS via Dave Anderson. FOSC Steele agreed to do so. Nonrecoverable sheen has been carried by the incoming tide past the containment booms into the tidal basin. CG estimates the size at 8 by 1200 feet hugging the Capitol side of the basin. CG has directed the contractors to double boom the opening between the basin and the channel and use absorbents between the booms. NPS will be notified. Mike Steele has inspected the area and feels that it is non recoverable sheen; NPS understands and accepts thisevaluation. Mr Steele was going to provide contact information for GSA to the park in case anything changes.