E.P.A. Update on Yellowstone River Oil Spill (Silvertip Pipeline), August 12th, 2011

E.P.A. Update on Yellowstone River Oil Spill (Silvertip Pipeline), August 12th, 2011

Matthew Allen, (720) 237-7414; Libby Faulk, (303) 548-3967; John Dalton (303) 524-2459

(Billings, Mont --, August 12, 2011) E.P.A. continues to oversee the response to the ExxonMobil Silvertip Pipeline Spill on the Yellowstone River near Billings, Mont. E.P.A. will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure ExxonMobil Pipeline Company addresses any and all potential impacts of this spill. E.P.A. will continue to direct and oversee the cleanup and restoration of the Yellowstone River and will continue to work to ensure people's health and the environment are protected.

There are over 1,000 personnel engaged in cleanup and shoreline assessment efforts. Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Technique (SCAT) teams have assessed in excess of 6,500 acres. Several segments are ready for review and sign off and are on the schedule to be inspected by SCAT teams once their initial assessments are completed.

"Right now we're progressing through the work project as scheduled, and SCAT teams have made a lot of progress," said Craig Myers, E.P.A. On-Scene Coordinator. "At this point things appear to be happening on schedule."

E.P.A. sampling results for air, water, soil, and sediment data are still accessible on the E.P.A. spill website. The data shows there are no levels of concern in the water and no elevated levels above instrument detection for volatile organic compounds. E.P.A. site-specific soil sampling result letters went out to 40 landowners affected by the Yellowstone River oil spill. Results and a fact sheet on the crude oil samples and an Agricultural Fact Sheet are accessible at the E.P.A. website as well.

Please visit http://www.epa.gov/yellowstoneriverspill for the latest information, data, and maps.

The Montana DEQ encourages people to call the Governor's information line at 406-657-0231 with questions, concerns or comments, or visit www.yellowstoneriveroilspill.mt.gov.

BACKGROUND: At approximately 11:00 PM on Friday, July one a break occurred in a 12-inch pipeline owned by ExxonMobil that resulted in a spill of crude oil into the Yellowstone River approximately 20 miles upstream of Billings, Montana. EPA's primary concern is protecting people's health and the environment. E.P.A. will remain on-site to ensure cleanup and restoration efforts do just that. E.P.A. continues to hold ExxonMobil Pipeline Company, the responsible party, accountable for assessment and cleanup.

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