At approximately 1:00 am on June 13, 2008, a northbound train in Oshkosh, Winnebago County, Wisconsin derailed due to flooding in the area. One locomotive and two cars were involved. Approximately 1,200 gallons of diesel and oil product leaked from the wreckage into Johnson Creek which leads into Lake Winnebago. The majority of the contamination impacted Johnson Creek and several residential homes along the creek (see map in document section).
The Responsible Party (RP), CN Railroad, hired Veolia Environmental Services to deploy boom and sorbent pads to contain the release, recover petroleum product from the creek and the wrecked locomotive (with vacuum trucks), remove petroleum contaminated soil and debris along the creek, and decontaminate riprap.
The tracks were repaired and train traffic resumed at approximately 11:30 pm on June 13, 2008. CN removed the derailed locomotive and boxcars on June 18, 2008.
U.S EPA and WDNR officials closely monitored the cleanup of the spill. US EPA and CN contractors conducted air monitoring around the subdivisions adjacent to the incident location during cleanup activities. VOC concentrations were consistent with expected normal background levels, despite a prevalent odor in the neighborhood. US EPA also collected surface water samples in Johnson Creek and Lake Winnebago to confirm the efficacy of the control measures being utilized by CN.
Drinking water utilities possibly affected were notified by WDNR, and local mariners were notified to stay away from oil sheen on Lake Winnebago. CN tested private wells potentially impacted by the spill and determined drinking water in the area was not affected by the spill.
Informational flyers explaining the incident and response actions (see attached) were distributed to neighboring residents on June 14, 2008 and on July 21, 2008. CN officials also met individually with impacted residents.
Two additional culverts have been installed (to augment the existing culvert) where the track washout occurred. The remaining booms were removed from Johnson Creek and the inlet to Lake Winnebago on September 10, 2008. Restoration activities were completed by CN contractors on September 17, 2008. Soil and water samples were taken throughout the impacted area to confirm that all contamination has been removed. Impacted residents will be receiving copies of soil analytical results and closure letters from CN and WDNR.
