The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued a “no further action” letter on December 2, 2013, following successful cleanup of a release of crude oil from an abandoned Cowry pipeline north of Sidney, Mont.
In August 2012, Cowry Enterprises reported a release of approximately 10 barrels of crude oil from an inactive pipeline that was being tested. The oil surfaced in a barrow ditch, then traveled 75 feet downhill to the Lower Yellowstone irrigation ditch. The irrigation ditch was closed at the time but did contain water. Cowry and their consultants responded to the release by cleaning up oil with vacuum trucks, absorbent materials, steam cleaning and excavation of contaminated soil.
“Cowry was very responsive in cleaning up the spill,” says Laura Alvey, DEQ project officer. “They were very good about doing everything that needed to be done to ensure it was cleaned up to DEQ standards.”
DEQ and Richland County officials inspected the site and oversaw confirmation sampling of surface water and sediments from the ditch and from soils. Sampling either did not detect crude oil in the water and soil, or the concentrations were well below any applicable screening level or standard that indicates the site was successfully cleaned up.
Cowry Enterprises remains responsible for reclaiming any property that may have been damaged by the cleanup work.
Persons who have questions about the Cowry site may contact Laura Alvey of DEQ’s Groundwater Remediation Program at 406-841-5061 or can visit DEQ’s website at http://www.deq.mt.gov.
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