On or about January 29, 2008, a release occurred from a wastewater impoundment at 6801 Palmer Road, Santa Maria, CA, APN: 101-060-052, Bell Lease (the “Spill”). The Spill was caused from a corroded pipe. Oil and water migrated from the corroded pipe through the soil and out the base of the impoundment. This oil and water mixture migrated east across Palmer road, through the eastern side of the Bell lease and discharged into an unnamed tributary of Sisquoc Creek. The oil migrated approximately 1.2 miles downstream into Sisquoc Creek. Sisquoc Creek is a tributary to the Santa Maria River which feeds into the Pacific Ocean. On January 31, 2008, EPA issued a Clean Water Act 311(c) Order to Greka for the cleanup.
Greka retained a contractor as well worked on the cleanup themselves. As of February 1, 2008, Greka was barred from doing the manual removal of the oil from the unnamed tributary or Sisquoc Creek due to their use of inefficient cleanup methods. Their contractor continued to conduct the cleanup. On March 14, 2008, Greka dismissed their contractor due to financial reasons. Greka retained another contractor to complete the cleanup, however thez did not meet the basic requirements under HAZWOPER they were not allowed to conduct the cleanup. On April 1, 2008 EPA took over the cleanup. See Polreps for remaining site information.
