EPA v. UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Case summary

USGS UST LEAK, RESTON, VIRGINIA - APPROXIMATELY 15,700 GALLONS OF HEATING FUEL WERE RELEASED FROM AN UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK TO A STORM DRAIN THAT LED TO SUGARLAND RUN, A TRIBUTARY TO THE POTOMAC RIVER. THE SPILL IS ATTRIBUTED TO OPERATOR ERROR WHEN THIS VOLUME OF FUEL WAS TRANSFERRED TO A TANK THAT WAS ALREADY FILLED. EPA IMMEDIATELY ORDER THE RESPONDENT, THE US GEOLOGICAL SERVICE, TO CONTAIN THE SPILL WITH SORBENT MATERIAL, AND COLLECT OIL BY PUMPING INTO VACUUM TRUCKS. ADDITIONAL WORK INCLUDED THE EXCAVATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL, TO ALLEVIATE THE THREAT OF OIL MIGRATION TO THE WATERWAY.

Defendants (1)

• UNITED GEOLOGICAL SURVEYNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (4)

• U S GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

  12201 SUNRISE VALLEY, RESTON, VA, 20192

  Registry ID: 110020671600

• U S GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

  12201 SUNRISE VALLEY, RESTON, VA, 20192

  Registry ID: 110020671600

• U S GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

  12201 SUNRISE VALLEY, RESTON, VA, 20192

  Registry ID: 110020671600

• U S GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

  12201 SUNRISE VALLEY, RESTON, VA, 20192

  Registry ID: 110020671600

Statutes cited

• CWA 311B — Oil & Hazardous Substances Discharge

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEYentered 2001-02-01

  Primary law: CWA

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2001-02-01Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2001-02-01Final Order Issued
• 2001-02-07Enforcement Action Data Entered