EPA - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
03/23/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/23/2026 14:01
EPA Transfers Oversight of Oil Recovery and Cleanup Operations in Kingman County to State Regulators
EPA Transfers Oversight of Oil Recovery and Cleanup Operations in Kingman County to State Regulators
March 23, 2026
Contact Information
Kellen Ashford ([email protected])
816-610-2132
LENEXA, KAN. (MARCH 23, 2026) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has transferred the oversight of remaining oil recovery and cleanup operations of the crude oil discharge that impacted an unnamed tributary and the Chikaskia River in south central Kansas to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). EPA responded to the oil dischargethat was reported on February 15, 2026.
"I am very proud of the work our team performed in Kingman County alongside our state partners," said EPA Region 7 Administrator Jim Macy. "Working together in line with EPA's commitment to cooperative federalism, our agencies prevented the flow of oil downstream and updated the public about the potential risks to livestock that drink from the Chikaskia River."
A before-and-after of an underflow dam on the Chikaskia River demonstrates the importance of underflow dams in oil containment and recovery operations. These dams enable the separation of oil from water, allowing water to continue flowing and allowing cleanup crews to recover the contained oil.KDHE and KCC will continue to work with Atlas Operating LLC to ensure the recovery of remaining oil and oil-impacted debris is completed and that all wastes are disposed of in accordance with all state, federal, and Tribal regulations.
To date, over 240,000 gallons of a water and crude oil mixture have been recovered. More than 740 tons of oil-impacted waste, including vegetation and soil, have been collected and transported off-site to an approved disposal facility.
KCC will work with Atlas Operating LLC to inspect the integrity of its pipeline, make necessary repairs, and ensure it complies with the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule. The SPCC rule helps facilities prevent a discharge of oil into navigable waters or adjoining shorelines, and requires facilities to develop, maintain, and implement an oil spill prevention plan.
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EPA - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published this content on March 23, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 23, 2026 at 20:01 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]