Rail Company Cited For Chemical Spill
DEP: Citation Reflects Biological 'Devastation'

The Department of Environmental Protection has issued a notice of violation to Norfolk Southern in the aftermath of a June 30 McKean County train derailment and sodium hydroxide spill that caused severe pollution of the Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek.

The crash took place in Gardeau, near the McKean- Cameron County lines. While the train derailed in McKean County, most of the damage from the chemical occurred down stream, in Cameron County.

"This citation reflects the reality that the waters of Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek and the aquatic life that existed there were devastated as a consequence of the spill," DEP Northwest Regional Director Kelly Burch said. "Pennsylvania's tough environmental laws give us the ability we need to hold parties accountable when there are incidents such as this, and we do plan to hold Norfolk Southern accountable."

An NOV is a formal notice to the company that its actions violated numerous state environmental regulations. Under state law, the company could be subject to penalties of up to $35,000 per day, starting from the date of the original spill and continuing until the violations cease.

The NOV cites the railroad for the ongoing discharge of pollution and encroachments into commonwealth waters, the unpermitted disposal of wastes, and release of hazardous substances.

About 44,000 gallons of sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda or lye, spilled when 28 Norfolk Southern railroad cars derailed. Some of the sodium hydroxide entered Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek and wiped out aquatic life and fish from the accident site near the McKean County village of Gardeau to a point 7.5 miles downstream at the mouth of Fourmile Run near Emporium in Cameron County.

Assessments of the Driftwood Branch, below its confluence with Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek, showed a lesser impact to the number of aquatic insects.

An unknown amount of sodium hydroxide also soaked into the ground in and around the derailment site, and this residual material must be addressed to ensure a complete recovery of Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek.

Norfolk Southern consultants began work last week to install monitoring wells for groundwater sampling and borings for soil sampling as part of the site assessment plan to determine the depth and breadth of contamination. More equipment will be brought on site this week to continue that work.

The sodium hydroxide raised the pH of the water in Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek to a level that devastated aquatic life and fish. The pH is a measurement for determining levels of acidity and alkalinity, with higher levels signaling alkalinity.

As a temporary measure, Norfolk Southern is applying a citric acid solution at the spill site to neutralize the pH of the sodium hydroxide still leaching from the soil into the stream. This effort has resulted in normal pH readings in Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek. As a result, DEP advises avoiding the section of the creek from the mouth of Big Fill Run to a point 1,000 feet downstream.

"We continue to review other sections of the Norfolk Southern site assessment plan, including those dealing with schedule of work and conceptual site restoration," Burch said. "We have advised Norfolk Southern that the department will soon set an enforceable schedule for implementing the actions described in the assessment plan and ultimate final restoration plan."

DEP has made its public files relating to the train derailment available for review at the Cameron County Courthouse for the convenience of residents living in McKean and Cameron counties.

The Cameron County Conservation District is housing the document repository at its office in Room 105 of the courthouse, 20 E. Fifth St., Emporium. Residents should contact Jan Hampton at 814-486-9353 to arrange an appointment for a file review.