A train derailment last Saturday spilled coal and diesel fuel into wetlands near Virginia’s Chickahominy River, raising concerns about potential contamination of the waterway.
The CSX train, en route from Hinton, West Virginia, to Newport, Virginia, derailed near New Kent County, about 30 minutes past Richmond. It resulted in 53 coal cars and two diesel-fueled engines coming to a stop approximately 400 feet from the river, a tributary to the James River that flows into the Chesapeake Bay.
“There were no injuries as a result of the incident, no hazardous materials were transported, and there was no danger to the surrounding community,” CSX stated on Monday.
However, the spill of 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel and around 4,000 tons of coal into the wetlands poses a challenge for environmental teams. Barriers like fencing, booms, and “turbidity curtains” have been deployed to prevent contaminants from reaching the river.
John Giese, a Virginia Department of Environmental Quality spokesperson, said, “Containment and cleanup of the diesel fuel began shortly after the derailment,” including booms to block diesel entry into the river and absorbent materials to collect fuel on water surfaces.
“Some residual fuel remains in the wetlands and needs addressing,” Giese added.
The coal acts as a physical contaminant, potentially smothering flora and fauna, while the diesel’s toxicity can harm plants and animals.
CSX is coordinating closely with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality in response efforts.
Although CSX initially released details on the derailment, the extent of diesel and coal spillage was disclosed on Thursday. The company’s focus is on safety and environmental risk mitigation.
The cause of the derailment is under investigation, raising concerns among local communities, including the Chickahominy Tribe. Dana Adkins, the tribe’s environmental director, is monitoring the wetlands’ impact, which could potentially affect the river for decades.
The James River Association expressed concern about the environmental impact on the Chickahominy River and surrounding areas. Tom Dunlap, the association’s James Riverkeeper, emphasized the river’s critical environmental role and the conservation efforts of nearby property owners.
The incident is reminiscent of the February 2023 Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which raised safety concerns over drinking water.
“The closest surface water intake on the Chickahominy River is roughly 13 miles downriver,” said Giese. “Containment measures are in place to limit migration of residual diesel fuel and coal, posing no current risk to the drinking water intake.”
Trees are being used to create a temporary access road for cleanup, and efforts to contain the diesel fuel continue as coal is staged for removal.
The spills have heightened concerns for the Chickahominy Tribe, particularly due to its recent acquisition of significant historical property downstream of the derailment. The presence of PFOS in the river and fish prior to the incident raises additional environmental concerns.
Dunlap noted the ecological significance of the crash site, identified as top-value land by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Downstream areas include protected lands with freshwater mussels, underwater grasses, and migratory fish habitats. The James River Association recently graded the James River a B in its health report State of the James River.
“The coal train spill underscores the need for infrastructure investment to prevent accidents,” Dunlap said. “We will monitor the situation and work with partners to assess damage and ensure proper follow-up actions.”
Mike Gerel from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation stressed the importance of renewable energy to avoid transportation risks associated with coal and diesel. “Renewable energy eliminates the need for risky transportation,” Gerel stated.
The federal shutdown complicates cleanup efforts, potentially ending EPA support, according to the James River Association. “DEQ has coordinated with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and EPA since the incident,” Giese confirmed. An EPA federal on-scene coordinator remains on-site with DEQ’s state coordinator.
Train derailments in Virginia have a history, including a 2014 CSX crude oil derailment in Lynchburg that ignited oil in the James River.
Coal is frequently transported by rail to Eastern Virginia, home to major coal port complexes. Despite Virginia’s 41 operating coal mines, most coal shipped from Virginia ports originates from other states.
Original Story at insideclimatenews.org