The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on February 15 that it has transferred oversight of ongoing oil recovery and cleanup operations in Kingman County, Kansas, to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Corporation Commission.
According to the EPA, the transfer concerns the remaining response to a crude oil discharge that affected an unnamed tributary and the Chikaskia River in south central Kansas. The EPA initially responded to the incident after it 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."
The state agencies will continue working with Atlas Operating LLC to recover remaining oil and impacted debris, ensuring all waste is disposed of according to applicable regulations. To date, over 240,000 gallons of a water and crude oil mixture have been recovered. More than 740 tons of contaminated waste—including vegetation and soil—have been collected and transported off-site for disposal at an approved facility.
The Kansas Corporation Commission will also collaborate with Atlas Operating LLC to inspect pipeline integrity, make necessary repairs, and ensure compliance with Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rules. These rules require facilities to prevent discharges into navigable waters or shorelines by maintaining an oil spill prevention plan.
Further details are available according to the official roster page.
