On 03 Feb 05 Meridian Southern Railroad had a derailment of a locomotive due to a flash flood. The locomotive had damage to the fuel tank releasing several hundred gallons of diesel to a ponded area approximately 200 yards from the Chickasawhay River. Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) responded and confirmed an on-going release due to the inability to reach the fuel tank based on the location of the derailment. OSC Ullock was dispatched to provide over sight of the environmental cleanup.
On Feb. 04, 2005 OSC Ullock was dispatched to respond to this incident. Upon arrival OSC Ullock met with the MSDEQ Responder,the Responsible Party and the clean up contractor.
OSC and MSDEQ walked the impacted unnamed tribuatry. In addition to the reported diesel fuel spill, a small, undetermined amount of 40wt. motor oil also leaked from the locomotive. This oil has sunk into and along the gravel banks.
OSC Ullock issued the Railroad a LOFI. OSC and MSDEQ spoke with railroad owner in New York State and received a verbal commitiment that Meridian Southern will carry out the clean up until complete. Meridian Southern has signed a ER contract with the USES environmental clean up contractor. USES is on-scene and will continue with the clean up until complete.
The final stages of clean up are currently on-going. Along with shoreline polishing,the heavy gravel banks will be "sparged" in order to raise the heavy, sunken oil to the water surface and allowing this oil to float downstream to a collection area.
OSC Ullock will return to the spill site on February 7, 2005. OSC will evaluate final clean up efforts, provide techincal assistance and provide additional to the MSDEQ.
None to report at this time.
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