EPA Response to Enbridge Spill in Michigan

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EPA Response to Enbridge Spill in Michigan

EPA's Response to the Enbridge Oil Spill

Response History

Enbridge Energy Partners LLP (Enbridge) reported a 30-inch pipeline ruptured on Monday, July 26, 2010, near Marshall, Michigan. The release, estimated at 843,000 gallons, entered Talmadge Creek and flowed into the Kalamazoo River, a Lake Michigan tributary. Heavy rains caused the river to overtop existing dams and carried oil 35 miles downstream on the Kalamazoo River.

As the federal agency in charge of the response to the spill, EPA assumed a leadership role in the Unified Command and mobilized an Incident Management Team made up of federal, state and local agencies.

On July 27, the day after the spill was reported, EPA issued a legal order under the authority of the Clean Water Act directing Enbridge to conduct removal actions. EPA also ordered the company to produce documents and information relevant to EPA's investigation into the source, extent and nature of the oil spill.

On July 28, 2010, the spill was contained approximately 80 river miles from Lake Michigan.

EPA Orders Enbridge to Perform Additional Dredging to Remove Oil from Kalamazoo River

Map showing impoundment areas to be dredged

CHICAGO (March 14, 2013) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today issued an administrative order that requires Enbridge to do additional dredging in Michigan's Kalamazoo River to clean up oil from the company's July 2010 pipeline spill. EPA's order requires dredging in sections of the river above Ceresco Dam, upstream of Battle Creek, and in the Morrow Lake Delta.

EPA and Enbridge personnel conduct a "poling" assessment for submerged oil. (Click to see more poling photos.)

EPA has repeatedly documented the presence of recoverable submerged oil in the sections of the river identified in the order and has determined that submerged oil in these areas can be recovered by dredging. The dredging required by EPA's order will prevent submerged oil from migrating to downstream areas where it will be more difficult or impossible to recover.

Enbridge has five days to respond to the order and 15 days to provide EPA with a work plan. Dredging is anticipated to begin this spring and is not expected to result in closures of the river. EPA's order also requires Enbridge to maintain sediment traps throughout the river to capture accumulations of oil outside the dredge areas.

On July 26, 2010, Enbridge reported that a 30-inch oil pipeline ruptured near Marshall, Michigan. Heavy rains carried oil 35 miles downstream before the spill was contained.