The Department of Environmental Protection has issued a notice of violation
to Norfolk Southern in the aftermath of a June 30 McKean County train
derailment and sodium hydroxide spill that caused severe pollution of
Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek.
“This citation reflects the reality that the waters of Sinnemahoning-Portage
Creek and the aquatic life that existed there were devastated as a
consequence of the spill,” DEP Northwest Regional Director Kelly Burch said.
“Pennsylvania’s tough environmental laws give us the ability we need to hold
parties accountable when there are incidents such as this, and we do plan to
hold Norfolk Southern accountable.”

An NOV is a formal notice to the company that its actions violated numerous
state environmental regulations. Under state law, the company could be
subject to penalties of up to $35,000 per day, starting from the date of the
original spill and continuing until the violations cease.

The NOV cites the railroad for the ongoing discharge of pollution and
encroachments into commonwealth waters, the unpermitted disposal of wastes,
and release of hazardous substances.

About 44,000 gallons of sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda or lye,
spilled when 28 Norfolk Southern railroad cars derailed. Some of the sodium
hydroxide entered Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek and wiped out aquatic life and
fish from the accident site near the McKean County village of Gardeau to a
point 7.5 miles downstream at the mouth of Fourmile Run near Emporium in
Cameron County.

Assessments of the Driftwood Branch, below its confluence with
Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek, showed a lesser impact to the number of aquatic
insects.

An unknown amount of sodium hydroxide also soaked into the ground in and
around the derailment site, and this residual material must be addressed to
ensure a complete recovery of Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek.

Norfolk Southern consultants began work last week to install monitoring
wells for groundwater sampling and borings for soil sampling as part of the
site assessment plan to determine the depth and breadth of contamination.
More equipment will be brought on site this week to continue that work.

The sodium hydroxide raised the pH of the water in Sinnemahoning-Portage
Creek to a level that devastated aquatic life and fish. The pH is a
measurement for determining levels of acidity and alkalinity, with higher
levels signaling alkalinity.

As a temporary measure, Norfolk Southern is applying a citric acid solution
at the spill site to neutralize the pH of the sodium hydroxide still
leaching from the soil into the stream. This effort has resulted in normal
pH readings in Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek. As a result, DEP advises
avoiding the section of the creek from the mouth of Big Fill Run to a point
1,000 feet downstream.

“We continue to review other sections of the Norfolk Southern site
assessment plan, including those dealing with schedule of work and
conceptual site restoration,” Burch said. “We have advised Norfolk Southern
that the department will soon set an enforceable schedule for implementing
the actions described in the assessment plan and ultimate final restoration
plan.”

DEP has made its public files relating to the train derailment available for
review at the Cameron County Courthouse for the convenience of residents
living in McKean and Cameron counties.

The Cameron County Conservation District is housing the document repository
at its office in Room 105 of the courthouse, 20 E. Fifth St., Emporium.
Residents should contact Jan Hampton at 814-486-9353 or via e-mail at
ccconservation@cameroncountypa.com to arrange an appointment for a file
review.