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| September 28, 2009 |
Water Quality & Quantity, Water Research, Watershed Planning |
Mandated cleanup begins on Whitefish River
Railroad will remove about one foot of sediment
BNSF Railway Co. will remove roughly 36,000 cubic feet of petroleum-contaminated sediment from the Whitefish River during the first phase of federally mandated cleanup this fall.
The railroad expects to remove sediment about one foot deep from a 36,000-square-foot area on the north side of the upper stretch of the river, above the Second Street Bridge north to the BNSF fueling facility, according to a remedial action work plan completed by Kennedy/Jenks Consultants.
Although there's a long history of petroleum pollution at the rail yard and upper stretch of river — longtime residents remember oil fires on the river — this particular round of cleanup was spurred by a citizen complaint two years ago of an oily sheen on the river in multiple locations.
[The information presented in News & Announcements has been compiled from sources believed to be reliable, although its accuracy is not guaranteed. The views expressed in items posted to News & Announcements do not necessarily reflect those of the Montana Water Center or its employees.]