January 5, 2024
Update #13 on Olympic Pipeline Gasoline Spill
Please see the most recent statement below from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington State Department of Ecology, and bp America regarding the Olympic pipeline gasoline spill on Highway 534 in Conway. Skagit County Department of Emergency Management is on site to support the response efforts.
The Unified Command leading the response to the discharge of gasoline from a vault associated with the Olympic Pipeline in Conway, Washington has the following updates on the progress of cleanup efforts:
- One lane of SR 534 remains closed at the spill site. Unified Command is evaluating strategies to reduce traffic congestion near the site.
- Photos and video of last week’s tree removal are available on Ecology’s Flickr and Youtube sites.
- Unified Command is working on plans to remove remaining contaminated soil and potentially sediment along the east bank of Bulson Creek (Hill Ditch). Containment boom and skimming operations are continuing to recover any gasoline entering the ditch.
- Water samples taken shortly after the spill from Bulson Creek (Hill Ditch), close to the spill site, temporarily showed elevated levels of gasoline-related contaminants. Continued sampling at these locations has shown no levels that present a concern to human health and safety since December 22, 2023.
- Ongoing sampling activities within the area have included the collection of over 260 surface water and sediment samples in nearby waterways including Bulson Creek (Hill Ditch), Skagit River, and Skagit Bay. Sampling downstream of the spill site continues and no exceedances of health-based screening values for either surface water or sediment have been reported at any location since December 22, 2023. These values are protective of both human health and the environment.
- Over 5,000 real-time readings and 102 analytical air samples have been collected in the community, all of which continue to indicate no public health risk from gasoline fumes.
- Wildlife teams continue to assess wildlife impacts. Two additional deceased birds have been recovered and have been sent for testing. The condition of the birds suggests the spill was not likely the cause of death.
- Fencing and pitfall traps were installed to keep amphibians out of impacted areas. Traps are designed to allow water to drain and will be checked at least twice daily by wildlife personnel.
General Information
One lane of SR 534 remains open as cleanup work proceeds. Traffic flaggers are assisting motorists through the area.
Area residents who live along Hill Ditch may continue to see sheen as pockets of gasoline that were trapped by vegetation and other debris on the water and along the shoreline are released by wind, rain, and the natural rise and fall of stream levels. Spill response teams are locating and removing these pockets of gasoline.
Air monitoring conducted at the direction of Unified Command continues to indicate no public health risk from gasoline fumes.
Members of the public who come upon injured or deceased wildlife are asked not to touch or relocate affected wildlife and to call 1-800-22BIRDS.
A claims center has been established by the Olympic Pipeline. Please call 1-866-616-1558 to report any personal or property damages resulting from the spill.
The Unified Command consists of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Washington Department of Ecology, Skagit County Department of Emergency Management, bp and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community.
Status updates are posted on Ecology’s website at ecology.wa.gov/OlympicPipelineSpill.
For further information on this incident, contact:
Jenn Rogers/Skagit County: 360-630-6604
Franji Mayes/Ecology: 360-529-7063
Pam Brady/BP: 360-920-1171
Bill Dunbar/EPA: 206-245-7452
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