A tanker truck carrying flammable and toxic toluene crashed in mountainous terrain and landed at the bottom of a steep ravine, next to a prized trout fishing stream.  Toluene is found in gasoline and is often used to make paint, paint thinners, lacquers, adhesives or explosives.  The toluene tanker split open and polluted the stream, the interstate, and the interstate right-of-way where the truck eventually landed.   As a result, fish and other aquatic life were killed for a 7.5 mile stretch of water. 

Photo Captions:  Photo 1 shows the tanker truck, upside down, at the bottom of a steep embankment and adjacent to a creek; Photo 2 shows the remediation and restoration process which was necessary to remove toluene from the soil and groundwater and return the site to safe conditions both for roadway use above the embankment and fishing in the stream below; and Photo 3 shows the slope remediation work which included using on-site heat treatment of the contaminated soil and returning the clean soil to the site.

MLG was quickly retained and implemented its Case Management Model to assist with this tragic and damaging accident.  MLG worked in close partnership with the State Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Transportation, the Fish and Boat Commission, and private owners, to fully address all concerns in an emergency timeframe.  MLG secured a temporary stream crossing permit on an expedited basis.  This allowed emergency response personnel to construct a bridge over the creek, allowing heavy construction equipment to reach the tanker to initiate environmental remediation efforts. 

MLG secured highly experienced professional engineers and contractors to remediate contamination in a highly complex geological and topographic area.  MLG orchestrated the professionals through a complicated and creative remediation process included obtaining extended site access permission, shoring of the interstate, special insurance to cover risk of cave-in or collapse of the off-ramp structure, and the critical acquisition of a special air permit for on-site incineration of the toluene-saturated soils and embankment materials.  This creative and unique remediation approach of thermal treating the contaminated soil and recycling the treated soil back in as clean fill saved the client and its insurer millions of dollars of hazmat transportation and landfill disposal tipping fees.

VALUE ADDED ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Organized and completed total site remediation in short period of time

• Convinced State to allow on-site thermal treatment of contaminated soil and recycling soil back into project, saving significant costs in transportation and disposal of contaminated soil.

• Ensured no lawsuits filed by any government entities

• Ensured no lawsuits filed by any third parties

• Restored fish into stream before any suits for natural resources damages

• Received Release from Liability letter from State commission