On January 9, 2003, a train derailment occured on Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) tracks adjacent to the Columbia River and Interstate 84 approximately 1 mile west of The Dalles, Oregon. The freight train consisted of 94 cars, of which approximately 52 cars were involved in the derailment. Five cars containing hazardous materials were involved, including phenol (one tank car), anhydrous ammonia (2 cars - residual only), arsenic acid (one tank car) and vinyl chloride (one car). In addition, 14 tank cars of oil(soybean,salad) were involved. None of the hazardous materials tank cars leaked, and all but the phenol tank car were able to be safely removed. Four of the soybean oil tank cars breached and lost at least a portion of their contents to the soil. The derailment occured partially within the Crate's Point culturally sensitive site. The culturally significant site is administered by The U.S. Forest Service on behalf of the Columbia River Gorge Commission. The derailment and spilled soybean oil are within approximately 100 yards of the Columbia River. The EPA and Oregon DEQ are overseeing the safe transfer and removal of phenol from the damaged phenol tank car, and the cleanup and removal of soybean oil contaminated soils that present a threat of migration to the Columbia River.
