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Report - Situation

Evening Report - 27 March 1996 - Wednesday -  - Pyrolysis product: - The secondary berm
has been lined with polypropylene until the impermeable liner is installed tomorrow.  The
pipe installed through the berm has been fitted with a double valve to either control the
discharge into the estuary or prevent discharge prior to pumping water to 21,000 gallon
Baker Tank at the top of the slope.-  - The height of the first cofferdam has been
increased to provide more holding capacity prior to removing the plastic liner sealing a
25 foot section upslope of the cofferdam.  The overburden in this section was excavated
down to the quarry sparls, exposing a pool of oil draining into the cofferdam.  A surge of
oil which overwhelmed the first cofferdam when this pool was exposed was successfully
contained and recovered from the second cofferdam.  This pool is directly in line with a
hotspot located at the top of the slope.  An additional 10 to 15 foot section of oveburden
will be excavated in the morning in an attempt define the limits of the pool of oil and
facilitate oil recovery operations.  Contractor on scene estimates approximately 1260
gallons collected as of March 26. -  - Intertidal Area: - Based on the March 22 sample
analyses of the leachate discharging from the site, the monitoring requirements for the
response hydraulic work permit were reviewed by WA DFW, NOAA, and WA DOT.  Copper and
nickel exceeded ambient water quality criteria.  While no ambient water quality criteria
were available for cyanide, levels measured were above levels of concern for a number of
species, including salmonids.  It was agreed that water samples from the second cofferdam,
interception trench downslope of the secondary berm, the tidal drainage channel (outside
sorbent boom) and background will be sampled twice a week for volatile organics,
semivolatile organics, total and dissolved priority pollutant metals plus barium, cyanide,
total suspended solids and hardness.  Detection limits for metals, cyanide, PAHs and
benzene were specified to be consistent with state water quality standard protocols.
Analyses will be completed within three working days and provided to WA DOE, WA DFW, WA
DOT and USCG/NOAA. -  - WA DOE, WA DFW, and NOAA SSC conducted joint site assessment of
intertidal area.  WA DOE will develop a sediment sampling plan in consultation with WA DFW
and SSC to assist in determination of "how clean in clean".  Draft sampling plan will be
reviewed Thursday.  WA DFW is considering using an in situ bioassay using caged mussels to
assess the toxicity of leachate discharging to the estuary.  A draft of this proposal will
be reviewed on Friday. -  - Road Surface/Tire Fire: - The road has not changed. Increased
levels of smoke were observed escaping from cracks in the road surface and hot spots in
slope below the road.  A new hot spot has developed approximately 15 feet below the road
on the east side of the embankment. -  - A consultant (Joe Zelabore) was brought in by WA
DOE and WA DOT to discuss possible strategies to deal with the tire fire.  Mr. Zelabore
provided insights on how tire fires behave and then presented a number of possible
strategies to deal with this particular fire.  Based on his recommendations, the unified
command has determined a plan will be developed using a strategy which tries to isolate
the hot spots with trenches to form fire breaks, and then extinguishing the fire by
systematically "peeling and misting" successive layers of the burning tire chips.  Mr.
Zelabore departed to assist at another tire fire in eastern Washington, but will return on
Saturday with other experts to further assist in the development of this plan. -  - Health
and Safety: - Health and safety concerns continue to be a major issue at this spill.  Air
monitoring was stepped up and the exclusion zone was temporarily enlarged Wednesday
morning when changes in wind and weather conditions resulted in elevated VOC readings.  By
noon, conditions had stabilized and the exclusion zone was moved back.  An Industrialist
Hygienist contracted by WA DOT is now the Site Safety Officer.  District 13 IH and CG Site
Safety Officer have departed. -  - Future plans: - Review draft sediment sampling plan,
fire extinguishment plan, and disposal plan.  Complete placement of impermeable lining in
secondary berm.  Extend excavation of pooled oil at toe to embankment slope below road to
facilitate oil recovery. -  - On Scene: SSC Sharon Christopherson. -  - Contact
Information: - Sharon Christopherson - Command Post - New phone lines installed:
360-642-1190/1191 - cell. phone 206-310-7664 - pager 1-800-759-7243,  PIN 5798807 -  -
Super 8 Motel, Long Beach, WA, rm. 220 - 360-642-8988, fax 642-8986