NATIONAL RESPONSE TEAM

Of The National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan

G-OPF 2100 2nd St. S.W., Washington, DC 20593-0001

Transmission Pipeline

Occurrence Date:

4 July, 2002

Location:

Cohasset, MN
NRC Report Number:   615614

Source:

Transmission Pipeline

Material:

Crude Oil

Severity:

Medium

Quantity Discharged:

2000 - 6000 Barrels

Quantity in Water:

Unknown

Body of Water Affected:

Swampy Area

Federal On-Scene Coordinator:

EPA Region V
Description:

On July 04, 2002 at 8:00 EST, Enbridge Energy reported that an underground 34 inch transmission pipeline discharged approximately 50 barrels of crude oil. The cause of the discharge is unknown. The pipeline is in a remote swampy area located .5 miles northwest of Cohasset, Minnesota. Further contact with EPA Region V revealed that the spill amount was between 2000-6000 barrels. All of the material is contained in the swampy area. As of July 8, 2002 EPA Region V confirmed that the total amount of material released was 6000 barrels. Clean-up crews used insitu-burning to dispose of the material. There is no threat to any navigable waterways or environmentally sensitive areas. There is no further discharge and repairs will be completed within 2-3 weeks. CASE CLOSED.