With winter rains approaching, it was time to take action, according to Environmental Protection Agency spokesperson Mary Simms. The federal agency has stepped in to complete the most crucial aspects of cleanup at Greka Oil and Gas, Inc.’s Gato Ponds lease, located at 6057 Palmer Road in Santa Maria.
“This is the third time the EPA has had to take over clean up activities because Greka failed to meet reasonable standards,” Daniel Meer, assistant director for the Emergency Response, Preparedness, and Prevention Branch of the Superfund Division in the EPA’s Pacific Southwest region, said in a news release. “We have given Greka Oil and Gas every opportunity to effectively conduct this clean up under federal oversight, but they have failed to meet our deadlines. Efficient clean up is especially important as we approach the rainy season.”
The EPA had ordered Greka to fix leaking ponds at the lease, which are close to Cat Canyon Creek. The ponds were leaking in multiple places and posed a spill hazard, according to the EPA. There are several drainage pathways that lead from the ponds to the riparian habitat next to the creek, as well as the creek itself. The creek also flows to the Santa Maria River, which flows into the Pacific Ocean.
According to the EPA, Greka failed to meet multiple clean up deadlines at Gato Ponds and as a result, the agency assumed control of a portion of the clean up at the location.
Greka spokesperson Tony Knight read a statement from Greka president Andrew deVegvar to the Sun: “The Gato Ponds were emptied and the structures were evaluated in accordance with the EPA’s directions, and Greka believes it was in compliance. We have been and will continue to cooperate with the EPA.”
Simms said that the EPA has set Oct. 20 as the tentative date to move heavy equipment to the site and start repairs. The federal government will then seek reimbursement from Greka for the costs. Greka could face fines of up to $32,500, per day, for each alleged code violation at the site.
This article appears in Oct 9-16, 2008.