Jet Fuel: Leak Stopped, Spread 'Several Miles' down creek - From BN9

Officials are working to remove jet fuel from a creek before it spills into Tampa Bay.

The Central Florida Pipeline carries jet fuel between Orlando and Tampa. A 10-mile section was shut down after part of the pipeline in the Mango area ruptured Friday night and began sending jet fuel into the water.

In just two days, the fuel spread several miles down a nearby bypass creek that leads into Tampa Bay.

Now the focus is on removing the spilled fuel from the water. Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency are overseeing the progress of the clean-up.

Now investigators from the Environmental Protection Agency are getting involved.

"Right now, I think it's going very well," EPA spokesman Chris Russell said. "Obviously theres a concern because there's a product in the backyard for some of them so we want to make sure we're addressing it. That's why were here to oversee and also give that third-party look for public health and environment."

Large trucks are vacuuming the fuel from the creek and booms are keeping it from spreading.

Unlike the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, no dispersants will be used in the clean-up. Officials said the equipment they have should be sufficient.
Officials: Tests show no problems

So far EPA officials don't believe there are any immediate public health concerns, and air monitoring tests haven't shown any problems.

"All numbers thus far have showed no concerns but we'll continue through until the product is fully removed," Russell said.

The groundwater appears to be safe as well, but local agencies are doing tests and residents are being provided bottled water just in case. Some residents with potable wells are also being offered to relocate.

The EPA said that if any problems are found, they will notify the public quickly.

Officials said they are also working with biologists and Fish and Wildlife officials to ensure birds and fish in the area are protected.
Residents unhappy with official response

Many residents in the area are not happy. They said not only are they concerned about the leak and the strong fuel smell, but no one is telling them what is going on.

Kevin Nevins lives a few yards from the ruptured pipeline. He said he knew there was a problem because of the smell

"We figured it was diesel oil, or maybe tar, somebody was tarring the roof," he said.

The other way he knew was from watching Bay News 9.

"It's Sunday morning and we actually found out more information from you this morning than what we've received from Friday night, Saturday," he said.

Residents are upset that, despite the fact that enough jet fuel to fill four tankers was spilled nearby, there was no notice from officials.

"You would think that they would come down and knock on the doors and let us know, but nobody's done anything," resident Kurt Woodward said.

Most of the homes in this neighborhood use wells, so residents are wondering how this spill could affect groundwater.

Russell said said he knows the smell is causing concern but tests have not shown any groundwater contamination.

"The smell is there, but the science behind it shows that there's not a real public health concern."
Third party blamed for leak

Kinder Morgan, the owner of the pipeline, said a third party is responsible for damaging the line.

Officials said someone may have started digging in the area without permission.

The company won't give a timeline for when the clean-up will be complete. They say they are taking it one day at a tiime.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is investigating the incident to see who will be held responsible.

By Kristy Wolski, Jonathan Petramala, Team Coverage
Last Updated: Monday, July 25, 2011 5:41 AM 
http://www.baynews9.com/article/news/2011/july/284362/Clean-up-continues-on-jet-fuel-leak

Jet Fuel Leak: Central Florida Pipeline Co / Kinder Morgan (KMP)

Central Florida Pipeline Co.
2101 GATX Drive
Tampa, FL 33605
(813) 248-2148

Kinder Morgan's "PUBLIC AWARENESS' Page: http://www.kne.com/public_awareness/

Kinder Morgan’s Central Florida Pipeline system consists of a 110-mile, 16-inch diameter pipeline that transports gasoline and batched denature ethanol, and an 85-mile, 10-inch diameter pipeline that transports diesel fuel and jet fuel from Tampa to Orlando.   The 10-inch pipeline connects to Kinder Morgan’s Taft, Florida, terminal (located near Orlando) and is the sole pipeline supplying jet fuel to the Orlando International Airport.  Kinder Morgan also owns and operates liquids terminals in Tampa and Taft.  The Tampa terminal contains approximately 1.5 million barrels of storage capacity for gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, and is connected to two ship dock facilities in the Port of Tampa.  The Tampa terminal also provides storage and truck rack blending services for ethanol and bio-diesel.  The Taft terminal contains approximately 0.7 million barrels of storage capacity for gasoline and diesel fuel for further movement into trucks.

Specifications:

Opened in 1965 Total Storage Capacity = 546,000 bbls. Number of Tanks = 28 Range of Tanks = 8,190 gals. - 80,000 bbls. Land is Available for Expansion

Transportation Modes:

Pipeline (receiving) = KM Central Florida Pipeline (injecting) = Pipeline (injecting) = KM Central Florida to Orlando Airport Servicing Railroad = Seaboard Coast Line Servicing Major Roadways = I-4, Florida Turnpike, Beeline, US 441, Highway 527

Services:

Pipeline Receipt / Shipment Tank Truck Loading / Unloading Automated Truck Rack Laboratory Testing Vapor Recovery / Incineration Additive Handling / Injection

Marketing Contact:  Jim Lelio (713) 369-8733

Dunedin City Commission's "Hands Off Honeymoon Island" Resolution: 7/7/11

Mad about Honeymoon Isle idea? Tonight is your chance to speak up....

A state proposal to allow high impact camping at Honeymoon Island is kicking up sand with many park patrons.

And tonight, the public will have a chance to voice its opinion.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is recommending that Honeymoon Island be among 56 state parks to allow private contractors to build and operate RV campgrounds.

Opponents say the high impact camping would have a negative impact on the ecology of the small island.

Republican state senator Mike Fasano said proponents are touting the potential economic impact. He's not buying it.

"What it's really doing is generating revenue for the private company that they're going to contract with," Fasano said.

The proposal here is for 17 acres that would allow recreational vehicles for overnight stays. Many park visitors are against such an idea.

"I'm concerned about putting money before the environment and pretty much destroying the beaches as we know it," Carmon Stephan said. "A lot of the wildlife won't have a habitat because of the construction."

A public hearing is set for 7 tonight at the Hale Senior Center, 330 Douglas Ave. in Dunedin.

State considers camping and RV sites on Honeymoon Island!

By RAY REYES | The Tampa Tribune
Published: June 28, 2011

From sunup to sundown, Honeymoon Island State Park offers people a chance to relax on its beaches, hike along its trails and view numerous species of birds in their natural habitat.

The barrier island drew 1 million visitors last year and topped a list of the 25 most popular Florida parks.

State officials are planning to attract even more people to the 2,800-acre park off the west coast of Pinellas County.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection wants to build 45 campsites on 17 acres of Honeymoon Island that could accommodate overnight stays for recreational vehicles and tents.

DEP officials will host a town hall meeting next week in Dunedin to give the public more details on the proposal.

The plan, which also seeks to create campsites at other state parks that do not have them, is a push to offer more recreational opportunities and get more people outdoors, said Donald Forgione, park service director for the environmental protection department.

The DEP created a draft list of about 50 parks that have the potential to add campsites, said Lane Green, a member of the Acquisition and Restoration Council, a state board that reviewed the proposal.

Other state parks in the Tampa Bay area on the list include the Skyway Fishing Pier in St. Petersburg, Weeki Wachee Springs in Hernando County and Crystal River Preserve in Citrus County.

Green said he expects the list to be whittled down as DEP investigates how construction would impact habitats and sanctuaries.

Jennifer Wallis, the owner of Sherwood Forest RV Resort in Palm Harbor, said talk of campgrounds on Honeymoon Island is surprising because of the park's reputation for pristine flora and fauna.

"I thought it was environmentally protected," she said.

Wallis said Honeymoon Island seems too small for a campsite that will also need new access roads, trails and hook-ups for recreational vehicles.

She's worried about the impact on her RV park, which has 100 camping sites on 13 acres about five miles west of Honeymoon Island.

"That could potentially take business away from us," Wallis said.

Vickie Larson, a member of the restoration council, said the DEP has a good track record of protecting its property.

"I don't feel our state parks will turn into Disney World," Larson said. "There's going to be strict guidelines."

Removal of trees will be kept to a minimum, according to DEP's proposal. The suggested campsite, east of a parking lot on Honeymoon Island adjacent to beach access "will not directly affect shorebird or sea turtle habitat supported by the park," the land management plan said. "Relocation of gopher tortoises may be necessary for the development of both the proposed camping and picnic areas."

The restoration council approved DEP's proposal last week with a 7-3 vote. Larson cast a dissenting vote, saying the project needs more public input before moving forward.

Forgione said the project is still in its infancy and there's no timetable for when construction will begin. He said he's not sure if the department will ask contractors for bids or if the state will build the campsites.

If private companies design and build the camping areas, they will also operate them, Forgione said. The DEP may ask for a share of the revenue from the overnight fees, which would go back to the budget for parks, he said.

Mary Lou Walsh, who spent Monday on Honeymoon Island's beaches, doesn't agree with the plan.

"I'm not opposed to camping," Walsh said. "Camping is great. I'm certainly not in favor of a private entity running the campground. A private businessman … his overall concern is the bottom line. I don't want to sacrifice the pristine environment."

The idea for more campsites wasn't driven by a need to raise revenue because of state budget cuts, Forgione said. There's a "big gap" of state-sanctioned camping areas between Hillsborough River State Park and a park in Manatee County, he said.

"This was spurred on because I, as director, think we need more campsites," Forgione said. "Camping is fundamental in the Florida park experience."

The DEP oversees 160 parks and one-third of that number has full camping facilities. Green said privatizing campgrounds is new territory. The 3,500 campsites now in use at Florida parks were built by the state and are run by state employees, he said.

But allowing companies or individuals to do business on DEP-owned land has been going on for decades, Forgione said.

It's not unusual for private companies to open restaurants or offer tours and equipment rentals in state parks, he said. The state calls these partnerships "concessions."

David Downing, the deputy director for Pinellas County's tourism bureau, said it's too early for his agency to comment on the DEP proposal.

Palm Harbor resident Richard Selleg, who successfully lobbied against the construction of a boat ramp on Honeymoon Island a few years ago, calls DEP's proposal an "intrusion on behalf of the state of Florida."

"This is the most frequented state park," said Selleg, a retired architect. "So already you have crushing demand and it's only going to increase. Honeymoon Island is very special. It's so precious, so alluring. Why do we have to pave it?"

Officials with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection will hold a town hall meeting on Honeymoon Island's proposed campsites on Tuesday, July 5. The meeting starts 7 p.m. at the Dunedin Public Library, 223 Douglas Ave., Dunedin.