2.1.1 Narrative
At 1120 hours Central Time (CT), Wednesday, 2/4/15, a southbound Canadian Pacific freight train derailed eleven railcars on the right descending bank of the Mississippi River 10 miles north of Dubuque, Iowa near Baltown, Iowa. Initial reports indicated approximately 20,000-30,000 gallons of denatured (3-5% natural gasoline) ethanol were discharged impacting the Mississippi River. One railcar ignited as a result of the derailment. Up to six railcars containing ehtanol derailed also potentially involved in the discharge. Local, State, and Federal responders are on the scene coordinating response efforts.
As of 2/7/15, the estimate of denature ethanol discharged is approximately 55,000 gallons.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
2/7/15 Update from Unified Command on scene:
OSC Nold stated that all of the cars and locomotives have been move to the staging area. The CPR contractors will continue vacuum-truck-transfer of residual product from the staged cars to tanker trucks for transport off of the scene. The cars will then cars will then be inerted (vented), and scrapped for disposal/recycling.
The rail tracks were reopened around 0400 this morning. Two trains passed today. A 10 mph speed limit has been imposed at the scene for train traffic.
Contractors will be assessing the effectiveness of steam cleaning/vacuuming product material from the creek ice.
Preliminary estimates of denatured ethanol accounting:
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305,000 gallons transloaded for use or disposal
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55,000 gallons unaccounted (consumed in fire, spilled to soil, or discharged to river or ice)
The river sampling plan was modified to include two (2) additional sediment samples and three (3) additional water samples at the derailment scene. A detailed, modified plan will be provided to Unified Command by CPR on Monday. All water and ice samples are being submitted for analysis using EPA Method 8260C. Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin were contacted today to discuss if this is the acceptable method for their needs. Iowa agreed it was acceptable. Wisconsin and Illinois are still verifying.
Wisconsin DNR accompanied sampling crews today and oversaw/assisted with sample collection. Water velocity samples taken today indicated 0.95 ft/sec measured in the main channel at 25cm below ice/water interface.
IDNR Fish and Wildlife personnel collected some fish from downstream of scene including crappie, bluegill, sunfish, and perch. They observed many anglers out fishing today.
Crews observed no remaining sheen in areas where open water was visible along the Iowa bank.
River levels are lower than what is indicated on most aerial maps. Islands are visible above the water for about two miles downstream of the scene.
All DO results through 2/7/15 indicate levels that would be expected at each location according to fisheries biologists at the scene.
Preliminary reports of analytical results for ethanol indicate very low level detects (below the reporting/quantitation limit but above the detection limit (less than 1ppm)) at locations to transect 11 (which is just upstream of the dam).
CPR plans to provide analytical results on 2/8/15. They will improve the process for provision and coordination of results going forward.
The cottage at the scene, observable in some photographs, is not inhabited. It is a rental cabin. Water is supplied, not for consumption, to the cottage by a spring which emerges from the hillside up gradient of the site.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
The RP has been identified as Canadian Pacific Railroad (CPR).
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
denatured ethanol |
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~55,000 gallons discharged |
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