Enbridge Line 6B Response

11 11 11 Progress Update

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:29:17 GMT

November 11, 2011 Progress Update

Active submerged oil recovery work done for the year as focus shifts to overbank sites and work sssociated with compliance with order from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).
Enbridge has successfully recovered a significant amount of submerged oil over the summer and into this fall. With the onset of winter, active recovery of submerged oil will be suspended. Work will, however, continue throughout the coming months to address the remaining overbank sites along the Kalamazoo River in accordance with the U.S. EPA order.

Meeting Michigan DEQ Criteria
While activities under the EPA’s direction are primarily based on a visual assessment, the MDEQ has its own set of cleanup criteria, based on a more analytical approach. Enbridge has completed its remedial investigation of Talmadge Creek in accordance with the MDEQ order and this information is now being used to direct additional cleanup activities on the creek. The remedial investigation of the affected areas of the Kalamazoo River has also begun under the direction of the MDEQ.

Enbridge’s Commitment Continues
Enbridge remains committed to restoring the area as close as possible to its pre-existing condition. Thank you for your continued patience.

10 03 11

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 18:48:18 GMT

October 3, 2011 Progress Update

Cleanup of Submerged Oil Continues
Work crews are continuing their effort to remove all residual oil in the Kalamazoo River. Currently we are focusing on recovering pockets of submerged oil along the bottom of the river from the Calhoun and Kalamazoo County line to Morrow Lake.

Talmadge Creek Investigation
A remedial investigation is underway at Talmadge Creek. The results of the investigation will be used to guide workers’ future clean-up efforts. The investigation is being conducted under the direction of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

Water Quality
We continue to conduct water sampling to further ensure that there are no public health concerns. We have conducted more than 1,700 water sample tests. We continue with agency input to conduct drinking water sampling on a quarterly basis. To date, no well contamination has been found, nor has there been any indication of contamination in city water.

Boat Traffic and Noise Levels
Over the next few weeks, there will be increased boat traffic along certain sections of the river. Due to the increased traffic, higher than normal noise levels may be experienced by those living near these areas. Please know every effort is being made to limit noise levels and inconvenience. Enbridge thanks you for your patience while this important work continues.

08 24 11 Progress Update

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 15:29:51 GMT

Aug. 24, 2011 Progress Update

Residual Oil Removal Continues
Cleanup continues along the stretch of the Kalamazoo River affected by last year’s incident. Recovery efforts are taking place both on the river and the river banks. The current focus to remove submerged oil includes an area just below Ceresco Dam, downstream of Battle Creek, and the Morrow Lake delta. Presently, nearly 600 workers are on the water and the river banks.

Air and Water Quality
We continue to conduct air monitoring and air sampling to further ensure that there are no public health concerns during summer recovery operations. The local health departments review the data collected from these activities. To date, nearly 3,000 air samples have been taken. In addition, more than 1,700 water sample tests have been conducted. We continue, with agency input, to conduct drinking water sampling on a quarterly basis. To date, no well contamination has been found, nor has there been any indication of contamination in city water.

Back to School Safety
With the start of school approaching, Enbridge would like to remind drivers to be extra careful. Watch your speed when entering school zones and near bus stops. Be watchful for children running into the street. Drivers must approach a school bus cautiously and be prepared to stop.

08 15 11 Public Meeting Notice

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:36:29 GMT

Public Meeting Notice

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold a meeting August 17 to provide an update on the cleanup of the 2010 Enbridge Pipeline oil spill in Talmadge Creek and the Kalamazoo River.

Details

When:	Wednesday, August 17
	5:30 p.m. Open House/Availability Session
	6:30 p.m. Public Meeting with Availability Session to follow
Where:	Marshall Activity Center
	15325 W. Michigan Ave.
	Marshall, MI

For special accommodations at the meeting, contact Don de Blasio at 800-621-8431, Ext. 64360, 8:30 a.m – 4:30 p.m., weekdays

2011 08 03 Progress Update

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:02:50 GMT

August 3, 2011 Progress Update

Removing Residual Oil
Enbridge is continuing cleanup operations along the stretch of the Kalamazoo River affected by last year’s oil spill. Recovery efforts are taking place both on the river and on the river banks. At present, over 400 workers are on the water and river banks Mondays through Saturdays. A recent reassessment indicated deposits of residual oil remain along portions of the river bottom. Enbridge has identified those areas and is currently working to cleanup this submerged oil.

Addressing Your Concerns
Over the next few weeks, increased boat traffic and noise levels could be experienced by those living adjacent to the river. Please know that every effort is being made to limit the duration of any inconvenience. Enbridge thanks you for your patience while this important work continues.

8-1-1 “Call Before You Dig” Reminder
National 8-1-1 Day is Thursday, August 11. Enbridge reminds you to call 8-1-1 before you dig, even if it’s in your own backyard. Whether you are planning to dig yourself or hire a professional, always call 8-1-1 to have your underground utilities identified.

07 25 Photo Update

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:58:47 GMT

July 25, 2011 Photo Update

Source Area

This group shows the source area of the leak. The area is a natural wetland and was drained during the primary cleanup. The right-of-way markers are just visible in the March 30 photo, showing the location of Line 6B. This area is monitored continually from the air and water and sediment samples for any evidence of oil or sheen.

Confluence Point

The point where the Talmadge Creek meets the Kalamazoo River continues to be a focal point for cleanup operations. Still visible are boom and a sediment curtain to capture and prevent sediment, erosion and any potential sheen from entering the river from the creek.

Ceresco Dam

The area above the Ceresco Dam was affected by submerged oil. Extensive operations to dredge the riverbed were done in October 2010 and cleanup activities continue in summer 2011 to remove submerged oil.

06 23 11 Update

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:17:06 GMT

June 23, 2011 Progress Update

Reassessment is complete.
Reassessment of all potentially affected portions of Talmadge Creek, the Kalamazoo River and overbank areas is complete. A summer 2011 cleanup plan is being implemented under the direction of the U.S. EPA and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). The plan targets areas where residual oil was found. The first phase of residual oil removal has already begun.

Ensuring air quality safety.
Enbridge is conducting air monitoring and sampling to further ensure that there are no public health concerns during summer recovery operations. The data collected from these activities are reviewed by the local health departments.

We again thank you for your patience as our work continues.

06 10 11 Progress Update

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:15:41 GMT

June 10, 2011 Progress Update

Our reassessment effort of all potentially affected portions of Talmadge Creek, the Kalamazoo River and overbank areas is also winding down, and we have begun oil removal based on results of this data. The reassessment has been conducted under the direction of the U.S. EPA and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). These results, along with other data, will be used to guide future cleanup/remediation efforts as well as aid local health officials in determining when the river may reopen for recreational use.

05 25 Wildlife Update

Wed, 25 May 2011 21:13:48 GMT

May 25 Wildlife Update

15 Turtles returned to the Kalamazoo River, among the last remaining from more than 400 that overwintered at the Marshall Wildlife Response Center.

With each gentle splash, 15 turtles found themselves back in the Kalamazoo River, marking a special moment not just for themselves but for the Wildlife Response Center and the Enbridge response effort as a whole.

After 10 months, 3,200 animals and hundreds of staff and volunteers, operations at the existing Wildlife Center are winding down. This group of turtles released on May 18 is among the last to complete the cycle of care following the Line 6B pipeline release last summer.

The turtles’ extraordinary journey was thanks in part to the quick establishment of the Wildlife Center those many months ago. As soon as it was reported that the oil had reached the river, work was underway to get a center set up to assist oiled wildlife. To do so, Enbridge worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and specialized contractors—Focus Wildlife and Stantec. The state-of-art crisis facility was established within days for the first batch of animals—mainly geese, songbirds, ducks and swans—that arrived during the early weeks of the response effort.

But soon a shift came, and instead of birds and mammals, by September turtles had become the primary residents of the Wildlife Center. In fact, more than 2,700 turtles representing every turtle species found in Michigan came through the center for care. Turtles continued to be rescued from the Kalamazoo River through the fall. Many were cleaned, recovered and returned to the river.

But some of the turtles’ health wasn’t to levels required by veterinarians for release or, as was the case for the majority in the center, they were captured too close to the winter season to be released in time to hibernate for the winter. As winter approached, a plan was developed for continuing care. More than 450 turtles remained at the Wildlife Response Center over the winter in the care of a team of wildlife experts.

Air and water temperatures as well as humidity levels in the wildlife center were kept artificially warm so that turtles did not enter hibernation during the winter. The turtles, which previously lived alone in 30-gallon Rubbermaid containers for their short stays at the center, were moved to larger metal bins. Anywhere from two to eight turtles shared a habitat, depending on the turtles’ size and species.

Another transition came about at the Wildlife Center as spring approached. By the beginning of April, some 240 eggs were laid at the Wildlife Center. Females were moved to a quiet area in the center’s basement where they could lay their eggs in special huts mimicking the environment they would have used in the wild.

As the weather warmed, most of the turtles captured last fall were placed back in the Kalamazoo River. The hatchlings are being moved to the Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek where they will mature through the summer and later released as adults. When the hatchlings are released in the river this fall, it’s possible that more turtles will have been placed in the river than those removed due to the release. Another approximately 20 turtles are still recuperating with veterinarians in another facility.

And so, with no wildlife left in care from the winter, a smaller Wildlife Center is set to open this month that could care for and treat any new wildlife affected by remnants of last summer’s release.

The two snappers, two musk, three map turtles and eight painted turtles that swam back to their natural habitat in May 2011 returned as the last group rescued last fall in what has been noted as the largest-ever freshwater turtle rescue operations.

05 18 11 Update

Wed, 18 May 2011 15:16:18 GMT

May 18, 2011 Progress Update

Talmadge Creek and the Kalamazoo River Reassessment Continues
As part of the reassessment, teams continue to walk the shoreline and overbank looking for any signs of stained soil, trees, plants, and grasses. Crews are also looking for any signs of pooled or submerged oil by literally sticking poles into the bottom sediment of the river and stirring it up.

The reassessment is nearing completion. These field efforts will conclude by early June. Local health departments will analyze the data collected from the reassessment and other studies to determine if the river can reopen. The information will also help establish the scope of cleanup and remediation work as we move forward.

The reassessment is being done under the direction of the U.S. EPA and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

At the same time, we are reducing our footprint. Crews are converting several large areas used as staging for cleanup and remediation efforts back to their preresponse condition.