BNSF roundhouse cleanup still planned

BNSF Railway continues to submit plans to the state for cleanup of an historic solvent plume near the railroad company’s roundhouse.

The trichloroethylene plume is underground just west of the roundhouse and is about 50 to 75 feet in size. Trichloroethylene is an industrial solvent.

Last fall, BNSF submitted a proposal for the voluntary cleanup to the state Department of Environmental Quality. The DEQ has returned the document with its comments, according to Jessica Gutting with DEQ.

“If documents are returned to us and meet our comments, we would be able to approve the plan for field work in late spring or early summer,” Gutting said.

Since the cleanup is voluntary there is no due date required for BNSF for resubmission. Field work would help determine the type of remediation used to clean up the plume.

BNSF is also working with DEQ on the next phase for the entire railyard facility, which includes a human health risk assessment.

Gutting said there are three plumes of petroleum hydrocarbon on the facility. BNSF will have to perform further assessment of the sites and submit that information to DEQ.

After the various tests are complete, DEQ will evaluate the information and propose a final remedy.

“The final cleanup will address all areas of concern,” Gutting said.

DEQ is also reviewing final confirmation samples for the Whitefish River cleanup. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency oversaw cleanup of historical petroleum-contaminated soils in the river. Work was completed last summer and DEQ is providing a final review of that work to show that no risk remains.

“We’re finalizing documents and so far it looks good,” Gutting said.