Tidewater Fuel Line Leak

The Site is near the Snake River just upstream from where it merges with the Columbia River in Pasco. Tidewater Terminal Company, Inc. (Tidewater), owns and operates pipelines located on a three-acre easement that crosses the 33-acre Pasco Bulk Terminal. The fuel terminal was formerly owned by the Chevron Pipe Line Company (Chevron), and Tesoro Logistics LLC (Tesoro) is the current owner.

Petroleum products are in soil and groundwater.

Following emergency response from Ecology’s Spills Program, Tidewater conducted soil and groundwater investigations and started cleanup activities to address the contaminants from 2000 to 2003 under Ecology’s Voluntary Cleanup Program. Tidewater also began monitoring groundwater in 2000, and submitted reports quarterly through 2003. They completed additional monitoring in 2006 and 2010. Results showed that petroleum in groundwater has reduced. Groundwater monitoring results also show that contaminated groundwater from the Site does not flow into the Snake River.

In 2009, Ecology entered into an Agreed Order with Chevron and Tidewater requiring the companies to complete a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study to determine the extent and locations of contamination at the Site and present alternatives for cleaning it up. The companies completed the investigation and study in 2012, finding that while past cleanup efforts had reduced petroleum contamination in groundwater, some still remained in localized areas.

Chevron sold the Pasco Bulk Terminal to Tesoro in 2013. Groundwater monitoring showed that contamination from past releases due to Chevron and Tidewater’s operations had not mixed. The Site was then split into two: the Chevron Pipe Line Company Pasco Bulk Terminal and the Tidewater Fuel Line Leak.

Ecology held a public comment period September 12 - October 12, 2016, for the Consent Decree with Tidewater requiring them to complete the scope of work described in the Cleanup Action Plan. The Public Participation Plan was also available for review at this time. Ecology didn't receive any comments, and the documents became final.