# UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
> **Administrative - Formal** · FY2001 · — · —
## Case
- **Activity ID:** `19459`
- **Case Number:** 03-2001-0081
- **Type:** Administrative - Formal
- **Lead:** EPA
- **Outcome:** —
- **Penalty assessed:** —
- **Cost recovery:** —
- **Compliance action $:** $0
- **Multimedia (multi-env):** N
## Defendants
- UNITED GEOLOGICAL SURVEY (complaint) (settlement)
## Summary

USGS UST LEAK, RESTON, VIRGINIA - APPROXIMATELY 15,700       GALLONS OF HEATING FUEL WERE RELEASED FROM AN UNDERGROUND    STORAGE TANK TO A STORM DRAIN THAT LED TO SUGARLAND RUN, A   TRIBUTARY TO THE POTOMAC RIVER.  THE SPILL IS ATTRIBUTED TO  OPERATOR ERROR WHEN THIS VOLUME OF FUEL WAS TRANSFERRED TO   A TANK THAT WAS ALREADY FILLED.  EPA IMMEDIATELY ORDER THE   RESPONDENT, THE US GEOLOGICAL SERVICE, TO CONTAIN THE SPILL  WITH SORBENT MATERIAL, AND COLLECT OIL BY PUMPING INTO       VACUUM TRUCKS.  ADDITIONAL WORK INCLUDED THE EXCAVATION OF   CONTAMINATED SOIL, TO ALLEVIATE THE THREAT OF OIL MIGRATION  TO THE WATERWAY.

---
*Source: [EPA ECHO](https://echo.epa.gov/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*