On January 29, 2008 a release occured from a Greka Inc. wastewater impoundment at 6801 Palmer Road, Santa Maria, CA. Oil and water migrated from a corroded pipe through the soil and discharged into a tributary of Sisquoc Creek. The oil migrated 1.2 miles downstream. The Creek is a tributary to the Santa Maria River which flows to the Pacific Ocean.
Cleanup crews are currently handcleaning the Creek. Cleanup crews were from Greka and Greka's response contractor, ACTI, were conducting Crekk cleanup operations. On January 31, 2008, OSC Robert Wise issued a Order for Removal, Mitigation or Prevention of a Substantial Threat of Oil Discharge pursuant to Section 311 of the Clean Water Act (the Order) direction Greka to remove all petroleum from the creek and other impacted areas. On the morning of February 1, 2008, OSC R. Wise ordered Greka crews to cease cleanup operations in the Creek due to their inefficient methods of cleanup. All Creek cleanup operations will be conducted ACTI. OSC R. Wise amended the Order to reflect these changes to cleanup operatios under State and Federal oversight are excavating the site of the corroded piping and sealing the area with a cement plug.
The entire area will be characterized for contamination. All free oils and contaminated Soil will be removed. Impacts to wildlife and the environment will be assessed.
All contaminated soils will be excavated,removed, trasported to a TSD in acorrdance with with all State and Federal regulations. All cleaned areas will be inpected by State and Federal personel for clearence. All Action levels will be enforced as specified in the ORDER served to GREKA, Inc. on 01/31/2008.
Press interest-- Poltical Interest-- widespread contamination with furthur rain forcast the contamination could spread or reoccur.
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