Crestland Cooperative, Blanchard (NH3) - Executive Summary

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Crestland Cooperative Company 
 
 
Risk Management Plan - Executive Summary 
 
 
1.  Crestland Cooperative Company (CCC) accidental release prevention policy involves, but is not limited to technologies, procedures, and management practices. All applicable procedures of the ANSI  K-61.1 - 1989 "Safe Requirements for the Storage and Handling of Anhydrous Ammonia", as adopted by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), are adhered to. The CCC emergency response policy involves the preparation of response plans which are tailored to each facility and to the emergency response services available in the community, and is in compliance with the EPA Emergency Response Program requirements. 
 
2.  The CCC facility at Blanchard is in the business of selling anhydrous ammonia to farm customers as a form of nitrogen fertilizer. The facility has one anhydrous ammonia storage tank(s) with the maximum capacity of 52,530  lbs. of anhydrous ammonia, with the largest tank capacity of 5 
2,530 lbs. of anhydrous ammonia. The location includes anhydrous ammonia storage tanks, nurse tank filling risers, electrical panels, lighting, and anhydrous ammonia safety equipment. The facility is seasonal and manned during spring and fall seasons at irregular business hours. 
 
3.  The off-site consequence analysis includes two anhydrous ammonia release scenarios, identified as "worse case release" and "alternative scenario". The first scenario is defined by EPA, which states that "the owner or operator shall assume that the maximum quantity in the largest vessel is released as a gas over 10 minutes due to an unspecified failure. The alternative scenario is defined as more likely to occur than the worst-case release scenario. 
 
The worst-case release scenario at Blanchard involves a failure on the anhydrous ammonia storage tank with the capacity of 52,530 lbs. of anhydrous ammonia. The off-site consequence analysis for this scenario was performed by using pre-defined EPA guidelines i 
n RMP-Comp version 1.04 software. 
 
EPA mandated meteorological conditions were determined by using RMP-Comp version 1.04 for both the worst-case release scenario and the alternative release scenario.  
 
When atmospheric dispersion modeling for the worst-case release scenario was performed using RMP-Comp assumptions, a distance to toxic endpoint of 1.2 miles. An estimate of residential population potentially affected of 75 persons in residences was obtained by using1990 population census figures. 
 
The alternative scenario involves the rupture of a one inch I.D.puncture hole in the bulk storage tank with a pressure release of 10 minuteswhich would allow the escape of 14,900 .lbs. 
 
When atmospheric dispersion modeling for alternative scenario releases was performed using RMP-Comp assumptions, a distance to toxic endpoint of 0.40 miles. An estimate of residential population potentially affected of 75 persons in residences was obtained by using 1990 census figures. 
 
4. CCC's accidental relea 
se prevention plan is based on the following key elements: 
 
7 Annual training of all personnel required to handle ammonia and what to do in an emergency 
 
7 Facilities constructed & maintained according to ANSI  K 61.1 - 1989 standards adopted by IDALS in Iowa 
 
7 Use of usual anhydrous ammonia safety equipment 
 
 
7 Use of effective operating procedures according to Agricom's anhydrous ammonia safety procedures handbook and  training videos 
 
7 Annual inspections by IDALS of storage tanks, piping for leaks, nurse tanks, applicators, transfer risers, riser hoses, safety equipment, pressure relief valve records, etc. 
 
7 CCC's site inspections by the Safety Director at least twice a year in conjunction with Insurance Company Inspectors or Regulatory Authorities. 
 
5.  No accidental releases of anhydrous ammonia have occurred at this facility in the past five years. 
 
6.  This facility has an emergency response program, which has been coordinated with the Blanchard Vol. Fire Department  w 
hich is a member of the Page County LEPC (Local Emergency Planning Committee) in Iowa. This program includes response decision tree and a notification plan. Emergency operations and response procedures are reviewed annually, with a site visit of the facility by the Fire Department. 
 
7.  Changes to improve safety at this facility are completed as required by rule change and/or methods to increase safety and/or efficiency of operations.
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