Division of Spill Prevention and Response Prevention Preparedness and Response

• Date: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16, 2020

2020 Valdez Marine Terminal Admin Sump Incident

2020 VMT Admin Sump Incident Fact Sheet 6

• The spill amount remains undetermined. As of 6 a.m. Thursday, approximately 654 barrels (27,468 gallons) of water/oil mix was recovered. An overflight this morning confirmed there is no noticeable sheen outside of the boomed areas.
• The source of the spill has been identified as a sump located about a quarter-mile uphill from the VMT small boat harbor. The source at the sump has been isolated and secured since Monday, but some oily water is still entering the water in the vicinity of the small boat harbor as the spill makes its way downhill.
• Boom and skimming operations are containing and controlling the additional oily water coming into the harbor. To investigate possible flow paths, crews are digging through snow and ice, as well as dirt, gravel and fill.
• Response crews were able to shorten the inner containment boom overnight, concentrating the spill to maximize recovery. More than 4,300 feet of boom has been deployed as 14 Vessel of Opportunity boats and 13 Alyeska work boats are on scene.
• One seagull was reported deceased on April 15. There are no additional wildlife impacts. Extensive preparations have been undertaken in the event that other wildlife impacts occur. There are numerous Wildlife Task Forces working the response to help prevent additional wildlife impacts, and rapidly treat if needed.

In Summary

• Two Wildlife Task Forces are focused on haze and capture. One team works on the water, one on land.
  • Trained wildlife task force members observe the area for wildlife and discourage its presence in the affected areas using only approved methods. They are also charged with collection of any wildlife, that is deceased, oiled or otherwise compromised, transporting them to the stabilization treatment facility.
• Another Wildlife Task Force operates the stabilization treatment facility
  • This facility provides care to affected wildlife until they are able to be transported to the wildlife rehabilitation facility, where they remain until they are in a healthy condition.
  • This facility is currently being assembled and is expected to be complete by 6 p.m. today (Thursday) and staffed as needed.
  • Located on the Valdez Marine Terminal.
• An oil tanker, The Alaskan Explorer, arrived this morning (Thursday) and is being loaded at VMT’s Berth 5, the farthest operational berth from the spill area. It will not depart until after sunrise Friday morning as an added layer of safety in traveling through a busy response area.
• For the safety of response personnel and the public, a Temporary Flight Restriction area remains in place, set at 5,000 feet elevation and one mile in radius over the VMT working area.

For information and updates on the response, check back to this ADEC site.