The cleanup of the creek is completed. The pond is 85% empty. The remaining solids from the Upper Bell Pond will be gone by tomorrow.
Due to cost savings, the liquids collected in the beginning of EPA's removal from the pond were solidified for off-site remove in end-dumps. The solidification occurred using Peralite and clean soil. EPA tested Greka's contaminated soil on-site, but it did not meet the profile for disposal, so it was not used. The solidified liquids were mixed with the solids from the pond and sent off-site in end-dumps.
On April 24, 2008, seeps were appearing in the areas where the solids had been removed in the Upper Bell Ponds. The seeps contained water and liquid crude oil. The seeps were occuring in the walls and base of the pond. The seeps were actively coming up. Several seeps were marked for observation.
On April 25, 2008, the tagged seeps were marked worse. Many had more then doubled in size and more had appeared.
On April 25, 2008, ERRS began the restoration of the creek with the assistance of the California Department of Fish and Game. The excavated areas in the creek were backfilled with 2" rock and compacted. Larger (6") and 1/4 ton boulders were strategically placed erosion prevention.
Removal of solids from the pond and solidification of the liquids continued.
April 26, 2008: ERRS continued solidification of the liquids on-site. ERRS continued the restoration of the creek. The seeps continued to worsen.
April 28, 2008: ERRS finished the solidification of the liquids. ERRS continued to load out solids onto end dumps for solidification. ERRS continued the restoration of the creek. ERRS began preliminary exploratory excavations of the seeps to determine the amount of contamination beneath the pond. There was heavy contaminated soil and free oil beneath the concrete. The START and PST conducted exploratory augering with a hand auger and detected heavy contamination almost to the road. Additional auger holes will be conducted tomorrow to identify the western edge of the contamination.
1. Removal of the remaining ponds solids
2. Underground pipe survey by Greka's underground pipe staff
3. GPR survey by EPA or contractors to identify underground pipes
4. Exploratory augering by the START and PST to identify the western edge and depth of the contamination
5. Removal of the concrete from the pond.
6. Excavation of contaminated soil to a depth not to exceed 5' below ground surface (at road elevation).
1. Removal of the remaining pond solids by April 29, 2008.
2. Identification of the extent of contamination by May 1, 2008.
3. Identification of buried pipelines and other objects by May 2, 2008.
4. Removal of all pipes leading to the pond by May 2, 2008.
1. Due to age of this lease, the existence of unknown pipelines is of grave concern. Greka will conduct an underground pipe survey based on their knowlege. EPA will conduct additional geophysical studies to determine if anything else is present in the subsurface.
2. Additional funding from NPFC.
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