United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region VI
POLLUTION REPORT



Date:
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
From:
Greg Fife


Subject: 

Final PolRep
Schulenburg Train Derailment
Schulenburg, TX
Latitude: 29.6794000
Longitude: -96.9225000


POLREP No.:
2
Site #:
a6q1
Reporting Period:
D.O. #:
Start Date:
6/15/2009
Response Authority:
CERCLA
Mob Date:
6/15/2009
Response Type:
Emergency
Demob Date:
 
NPL Status:
Non NPL
Completion Date:
 
Incident Category:
CERCLIS ID #:
Contract #
RCRIS ID #:
 

Site Description

Union Pacific Railroad train derailed near the city limits of Schulenburg, TX.  Twenty-two cars derailed, approximatel half contained hazard materials. UP reported only 5 derailed and only 2 with hazardous materials.  The entire contents of one car carrying petroleum naptha was lost to the ground.  A small amount of the herbicide Roundup was spilled and entered a small body or water.  That spill appears to be the source of the observed fishkill.

Several cars carrying chlorine derailed, two of which were damaged, the outer walls crumbled, the valve handles sheared off, etc.  The contents did not release and were transfered to cars brought in.  UP did not report that chlorine was involved in the derailment.


Current Activities

UP continues the cleanup and rebuilding their rail line.  Hazardous materials were transfered to other cars.  Soil cleanup is being overseen by the TCEQ.  The soil cleanup will meet the Texas standard.


Planned Removal Actions

No future activities by EPA are anticipated at the site.


www.epaosc.org/SchulenburgTrainDerailment