STAFFORD COUNTY —The Environmental Protection Agency is at the scene of an oil discharge in central Kansas.
On September 12, the Kansas Corporation Commission notified the Environmental Protection Agency of the oil discharge to Rattlesnake Creek in Stafford County, according to Ben Washburn, Public Affairs Officer for EPA Region 7.
The responsible party reported 90,000 gallons of brine, salt water generated during oil production, spilled from a disposal well line that transects Rattlesnake creek approximately 0.25 mile east of NE 90th Avenue.
The brine contained an estimated 600 to 700 gallons of oil. An EPA On-Scene Coordinator mobilized to the response on Tuesday evening.
Upon arrival, the EPA On Scene Coordinator met with state and local responders, performed a reconnaissance of Rattlesnake Creek, and observed responsible party containment and recovery operations.
The On Scene Coordinator observed areas of sheening and small pockets of oil up to 2.1 miles from the source of the spill, but there have been no observed impacts within the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge.
The responsible party has placed boom along Rattlesnake Creek to prevent further oil migration.
The disposal well line that was the source of the spill has been isolated and is no longer actively leaking, according to the EPA.
Responsible party contractors have recovered approximately 160 barrels (6,720 gallons) of mostly brine to date. The responsible party contractors are continuing oil containment and recovery operations under EPA oversight.