DEP Seeking $8.89M

This is small percentage of the mess left in the wake of a train crash that took place here at the end of June. Over 40,000 gallons of sodium hydroxide leaked from three cars that were involved in the 31-car pile-up. Pa's Dept. of Environmental Protection handed down its penalties Friday. State officials are demanding upwards of $9 million in penalties from Norfolk Southern for damages caused by a 31-car train derailment near the junction of Cameron, McKean and Potter counties.

The crash on June 30 near Gardeau spilled 42,000 gallons of sodium hydroxide, more widely known as lye. Cameron County got the brunt of the damage. The chemical wiped out fish and other aquatic life in Big Fill Run and along a 7.5- mile segment of

Sinnemahoning Portage Creek. It also affected the aquatic environment in the Driftwood Branch of Sinnemahoning Creek.

"The waterways, wetlands and soil all paid a price," said Pa. Dept. of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty Thursday in announcing the fines. What she didn't mention was the ripple effect of the environmental damage on the economy of the region, which is dependent on anglers and other tourists.

DEP on Thursday filed a complaint with the Environmental Hearing Board, citing Norfolk Southern for violations of the state's Clean Streams Law and demanding $5.41 million for discharges into Big Fill Run, Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek, Driftwood Branch, Sinnemahoning Creek itself and associated wetlands.

The department is also seeking an ongoing daily civil penalty of $46,420 for discharges that continue past Oct. 19.

DEP also assessed a $3.48 million civil penalty for violations of the state's Solid Waste Management Act and Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act. That stems from the unpermitted disposal of wastes and the release of hazardous substances.

"The discharges that devastated and continue to affect this environmentally pristine area violate a number of state laws," McGinty said. "These enforcement actions seek to remedy the breach of laws that has created environmental and economic havoc."

The effects of the spill were observed as much as 30 miles downstream from the derailment site. An unknown amount of lye also soaked into the ground in and around the derailment site. This residual material must be cleaned up to ensure a complete recovery of Sinnemahoning Portage Creek, which is designated as an exceptional value and wild trout stream.

DEP has set legally binding milestones to ensure the company cleans up the ground contamination and fully restores the area to pre-spill conditions.

Secretary McGinty earlier announced a process to involve area residents and businesses in deciding which restoration projects will be funded by civil penalties levied against Norfolk Southern. DEP is working with the conservation district and local officials to identify members to participate in the stakeholder group.

An Internet site has been posted to provide more information. From the DEP's main site, www.depweb.state.pa.us, users should click on "Northwest" or "Northcentral," on the left side, then "Community Involvement," then "Norfolk Southern Train Derailment."

A public file repository, which includes water sample results, is available to the public at the Cameron County Conservation District Office. Residents should contact Jan Hampton (486-9353) to arrange for viewing.