Spill clean-up done on east side

More than 150 truckloads of contaminated soil have been removed as part of the cleanup from a June 30 train derailment near Gardeau in Norwich Township, McKean County, near the Cameron/ Potter County border.

Work was completed this week on the excavation of contaminated soils leaching sodium hydroxide, or lye, into Big Fill Hollow and on into Sinnemahoning Portage Creek in Cameron County.

Cleanup has been completed on east side of the Norfolk Southern tracks. The railway will now progress with soil removal from the west side of the tracks.

“The sooner the contaminated soil can be removed, the sooner th seepage of contamination into the stream can be stopped and the affected waterways and wetlands can be fully restored,” the Pa. Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) said in a news release

As much as 42,000 gallons of sodium hydroxide spilled, with some of the chemical soaking into the ground. All excavated material, which has weighed some 3,000 tons, is being buried at a permitted landfill.

The June 30 spill wiped out fish and aquatic life at the accident site in Big Fill Run and in nearly 11 miles of Sinnemahoning Portage Creek, which is designated as an exceptional value and wild trout stream. It also polluted the Driftwood Branch of Sinnemahoning Creek. Effects of the spill were observed as much as 30 miles downstream, with much of the impact in Cameron County.

DEP reports that a “stakeholder group” is being formed to design regional restoration projects to be funded by civil penalties levied against Norfolk Southern. However, the railroad is disputing the fines, calling them excessive.

“We are pleased that part of the penalties will be used to benefit the local waterways that were devastated by this incident,” Cameron County Conservation District Manager Jan Hampton said. “The natural resources of this area are important to residents and vital to the many businesses that cater to visitors who come here.”

A number of community and government leaders attended a Dec. 5 meeting to discuss what form the stakeholder group will take and how it will operate. The group will be governed by a nine-member board made up of representatives from DEP, the Pa. Fish and Boat Commission, McKean and Cameron county governments and conservation districts.

DEP has issued legallybinding milestones to ensure Norfolk Southern restores the area to pre-spill conditions. The state is seeking at least $8.89 million in penalties.