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  • What is the process for backfilling excavated areas at the derailment site?

    Areas that were excavated as part of the derailment cleanup effort will be backfilled with clean soil. Before soil is chosen as backfill it is tested for chemicals and heavy metals. While the source of backfill is still being identified, some areas have been temporarily backfilled with ballast (large gravel)…

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  • Can I get gas at Leake Oil on Taggart Street?

    No, Leake Oil is currently closed due to site activities. They have an alternate location on N. Market Street.

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  • Applicability of EPCRA 311 and 312 to state and local government facilities

    Are state and local government facilities subject to the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) Sections 311 and 312 in states with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) approved state plans covering those facilities? The Occupational Safety and Health Act prohibits OSHA from covering state and local government workers…

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  • Are automobile batteries at a wholesaler exempted from EPCRA 311 and 312?

    A facility sells automobile batteries wholesale. Are these batteries at the wholesaler's facility exempt from reporting under SARA Sections 311/312 due to the household product exemption under SARA section 311(e)(3)? Section 311(e)(3) exempts from the definition of hazardous chemical "(a)ny substance to the extent is used for personal, family, or…

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  • What is the status of the cleanup at the site?

    In October 2023, it was announced that the excavation work, which removed the known areas of contaminated soil at the derailment site, was complete. The soil double-check work has been ongoing for months and is expected to continue into the fall. The timeline of our expected completion plans for final…

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  • When can we access the streams again?

    The upcoming cleanup efforts will focus on oil-based compounds which, based on recent sampling, are the only derailment-related contaminants remaining in the creeks. Please obey all posted signage and continue to avoid access in Sulphur and Leslie Runs until further notice.

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  • What has changed?

    For the past several months as the collected wastewater has gone through the system, sample results have shown that the wastewater meets the standards set for vinyl chloride and other derailment-caused contaminants without treatment, meaning it can be disposed of as non-hazardous waste. Testing of the collected wastewater will continue…

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  • Why collect the rainwater and snowmelt around the derailment site?

    Until excavation work and confirmatory sampling are completed, any wastewater collected from the derailment site is considered a “listed hazardous waste” because it may have come into contact with vinyl chloride or other hazardous contaminants from the derailment. Even though the soil contamination has been removed, our double-check work is…

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  • Maximum Occupancy Rating for Tier II Reporting

    Tier II chemical inventory information requires as estimate of the maximum number of occupants present at any one time at the facility ( 40 CFR 370.42(f) ). If a facility is given a maximum occupancy rating by a local official, should that rating be used when completing the Tier II…

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  • How will citizens have access to Tier I or Tier II inventory forms?

    Tier I information may be obtained from state emergency response commissions or local emergency planning committees during normal working hours. Any person may request Tier II information with respect to a specific facility by sending a written request to the state emergency response commission or the local emergency planning committee…

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  • Are odors from the derailment site dangerous?

    As site work continues and waste is shipped off-site for disposal, there may be times where odors can be smelled. In general, many substances can cause odors in the outdoor air but not be at levels that can harm your health, but they can still affect your quality of life…

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  • Can I plant my vegetable garden and/or farm field?

    There is no reason to believe that the particles in the smoke produced from the train derailment fire contain substances at levels of concern on residential, recreational, or agricultural properties. As an extra step, EPA is directing that soil sampling be conducted in areas most impacted by smoke and particles…

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  • Can we use our football field? What about cross country running?

    In addition to our overall guidance about soil use and safety, part of the soil sampling plan has been targeted toward recreational sites. If any results indicate a concern, the public will be informed. At this point, there are no concerns with outdoor activities or sports, except for inside Sulfur…

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  • What are the large blue tanks at the derailment site?

    As EPA continues overseeing cleanup work at the derailment site, two large blue lake tanks will reduce EPA’s on-site frac tank footprint. Frac tanks, for smaller quantities of liquid storage, have been used since the derailment to stage liquid before it is removed for off-site disposal.

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  • Storage location for batteries in forklifts when complying with Tier II reporting

    As part of Tier II Chemical Inventory Reporting, a facility must provide a brief description of the precise location of the hazardous chemical at the facility ( 40 CFR §370.42(i)(8)(i) ). A facility is reporting forklift batteries on their annual Tier II Inventory Form. How should the facility list the…

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