Records Detail ADEM Inspection At Northport Spill Site In 2014

NORTHPORT, AL — As a federal criminal investigation moves forward into an oil spill at a Northport trucking repair business, past records show potential leakage at the exact same site as far back as 2014.

Patch reported on Monday that a cleanup effort near a residential area and a school is underway by Spectrum Environmental Services. The work is being paid for by Burgess Truck & Equipment Repair — the business at the center of the fuel spill that has residents up in arms on one street in particular. The cleanup is being overseen by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM).

As residents of Palmetto Street in Huntington Gardens await answers from public officials today at a 4 p.m. press conference, Patch has obtained records from ADEM showing at least one prior inspection of an oil spill off of Palmetto Street dating back to June 2014.

According to ADEM inspection records, investigator Linda Knickerbocker visited the business following an anonymous complaint and found oily stains evident at the southwest corner of the property. This is the same spot where cleanup efforts are currently focused.

The initial complaint filed online and citing observations made on May 10, 2014 said a large pool of what appeared to be motor oil was possibly coming from a truck at the top of the hill near the southern end of the Burgess property.

"Oily stains were evident on the pavement, including two streaks that appeared to show near-constant dripping and a set of tire tracks," Knickerbocker wrote. "Where the tire tracks ended, there was an area of oily staining that extended from one edge of the pavement to the other, and flowed under the gate and down the hill onto the property at the foot of the hill beyond the west end of Palmetto Street, which is a residential subdivision.

At the foot of the slope, she also pointed out the same small pond and wetland area that is currently being dug out by Spectrum following recent news of the spill. Knickerbocker noted stressed vegetation in the area and no aquatic insects in or near the water.

Northport Fire Chief Bart Marshall confirmed to Patch on Monday that 75 cubic yards of soil had been removed and the EPA was not recommending air quality tests at this time.

Per the ADEM inspection notes, Burgess at the time produced roughly 150 gallons of used oil per month. Additionally, following the inspection, Burgess was asked to address improvements, such as marking containers and getting new equipment, to which he responded with photos of the progress on what was asked.

It does not appear that the company was hit with any fines or citations as a result of the 2014 inspection.

Here's a look at the public records relating to the 2014 inspection:

Here's a timeline of events leading up to today

May 2014 — An anonymous complaint is filed online with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management concerning a potential oil spill near the southern end of the property owned by Burgess Trucking & Equipment Repair, which runs into a residential area with numerous homes off of Palmetto Street.

June 2014 — ADEM sends an investigator to inspect the business, which is located off of Mitt Lary Road. The inspection notes numerous potential violations and mentions a possible spill at the same site currently under investigation. Wade Burgess, the owner of the business, is notified of the infractions and asked to take remedial measures.

August 2014 — Burgess responds with photos showing a used oil container appropriately marked after being blank, a new container that replaced an older oil containment system and a photo of the parking lot after oil drums were reportedly moved from the site. Burgess also informed ADEM that oil dirt was removed and graded out near the southwest corner of the property — the site of the current investigation.

March 16 — Northport Police Department takes to Facebook to ask for the public's help identifying the source of a foul, chemical smell in the vicinity of Huntington Place.

April 15 — Northport Fire Rescue receives call of an odor from Fairwood Avenue in Huntington. Crews arrive on scene, walk the wood line and discover the source of the odor and black sludge appearing to be petroleum. NFR returns later that night after it was discovered that the property is under the jurisdiction of Tuscaloosa County, so normal protocol is followed and Tuscaloosa County EMA is contacted.

April 16 — ADEM arrives at the spill site. Emergency officials then find that the owner of Burgess Truck & Equipment Repair is out of town and Delta Oil Services, which had two trucks parked near the site of the spill, has also declined to take responsibility for the spill. State officials contact the EPA out of its office in Atlanta.

April 17 — Tuscaloosa Patch is first made aware of spill and receives photos of black sludge gathering in stream water. Upon the first visit to the site, dead foliage and undergrowth is visible near the south end of the Burgess property, which meets with back yards on Palmetto Street in Huntington Gardens. Spectrum Environmental Services arrives on scene after being hired by Burgess to begin cleanup efforts.

April 24 — Northport Fire Chief Bart Marshall confirms spill, but stops short of naming Burgess Truck & Equipment Repair or any other company as being responsible. A resident takes Tuscaloosa Patch to the spill site for the first time.

April 25 — City of Northport cites Burgess as the origin of the spill, in addition to confirming an investigation by state and federal officials. Northport Councilwoman Jamie Dykes discusses spill with Tuscaloosa Patch.

April 26 — Residents watched as heavy machinery from Spectrum Environmental Services blocked the wooded walking path used to access the spill site. Residents of Palmetto Street continue to express frustration at the lack of prior notification once the spill had been identified.

April 27 — Press conference with Northport Mayor Bobby Herndon, Councilwoman Jamie Dykes and Fire Chief Bart Marshall set for 4 p.m.

Tuscaloosa Patch is also actively working to host a Town Hall event for residents and officials to gather next week and will post more information as the final details are finalized.

If you are one of the residents impacted by this spill and want to share your story or have questions/concerns, please email me at ryan.phillips@patch.com.