Stronghold - Executive Summary

| Accident History | Chemicals | Emergency Response | Registration | Source | Executive Summary |

CALIFORNIA ACCIDENTAL RELEASE PREVENTION PROGRAM 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
 
Basin Fertilizer and Chemical Co. Inc. 
Stronghold Facility 
 
1.Facility Accidental Release Policy 
 
The owners, management, and employees of Basin Fertilizer and Chemical, Stronghold facility (herein referred to as the Facility) at 46003 Hwy 139, Newell, CA, 96134 are committed to the prevention of any accidental release of anhydrous ammonia. If an accidental release should occur, the facility is prepared to work with the local fire department, or other authorities to mitigate any release and minimize the impact of the release to people and the environment.  A detailed emergency response plan has been developed and will be implemented in the event of an accidental release. 
 
2.Facility Information 
 
7 The primary activity at the Facility is the storage, blending, and sale of fertilizers, in addition to, the sale of pre-packaged agricultural chemicals to farmers. 
 
 
7 Anhydrous ammonia is received, stored, and distributed fo 
r direct application for crop production.  
 
7 Anhydrous ammonia is received by tanker truck and stored in 1 above ground tank at the site.  The maximum quantity of anhydrous ammonia handled is 78,336 pounds. 
 
 
3.The Worst-Case Release Scenario and Alternative Release Scenario 
 
a.  Anhydrous Ammonia Worst-Case and Alternative Release Scenarios   
The worst-case release scenario is failure of the largest storage tank when filled to the greatest amount would release 78,336 pounds of anhydrous ammonia, which represents the volume of the largest storage tank at 85% capacity as limited by regulations.  The distance to the endpoint (point of dispersion to 200 ppm) is 1.26 miles. The alternative release scenario, based on the five-year accident history (or the most likely potential incident) is a release from a 2 inch line, (hose or pipe). The distance to the endpoint (point of dispersion to 200 ppm) is 0.60 miles. 
 

4.Accidental Release Prevention Program 
 
Anhydrous Ammonia: The Facility  
has implemented the provisions of the "Safety Requirements for Storage and Handling of Anhydrous Ammonia, K-61.1", published by the American National Standards Institute, Inc.; California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Subchapter 1, "Unfired Pressure Vessel Safety Orders"; and the standards of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 29 CFR 1910.111, "Storage and Handling of Anhydrous Ammonia." 
 
 
5.Five-year Accident History 
 
 
7 There have been no accidental releases or near misses of anhydrous ammonia in the past five years that: 
 
have caused any deaths, injuries, or significant property damage at the facility; nor 
 
have resulted in off-site deaths, injuries, evacuations, sheltering in place, property  damage, or environmental damage. 
7  
 
7 6.The Emergency Response Program 
 
The facility's emergency response program was written in accordance with the following regulations: 
 
7OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38; 
 
7OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120; and 
 
7Section 25503, Division 6.95 of  
the California Health and Safety Code 
 
7.Planned Changes to Improve Safety 
Safety improvement is an on-going process at the facility.  Periodic evaluations are performed to assess the maintenance of safe conditions.  There are no additional specific planned changes to the anhydrous ammonia processes at the facility.
Click to return to beginning