Cleanup planned at BNSF rail yard

BNSF is expected to begin cleanup work on a historic solvent plume near the railroad company’s roundhouse this year, according to the state Department of Environmental Quality.

The company and its contractor, Kennedy/Jenks, have been meeting with DEQ to discuss an interim action plan for the site. Cleanup work could begin this spring, according to Jessica Gutting with DEQ.

“I haven’t seen a work plan yet,” Gutting said. “I would expect a plan in two to three months.”

Kennedy/Jenks is expected to submit its plan to perform further investigation on the site to better define the plume, thus allowing for a work plan to be created. Until the work plan is submitted, Gutting said, she won’t know the specifics for what the proposed work will look like. After the plan is submitted, DEQ will review it and return to BNSF with its revisions.

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

“The solvents were used to clean off the locomotives or as a degreaser at the roundhouse,” Gutting explained. “It’s a very small plume and it’s constricted by the clay.”

BNSF is working on an interim cleanup that could begin in May and a final remedy to be completed later.

“There’s the potential that the interim cleanup could eliminate the health risk faster than the final cleanup,” she said.

As part of the investigation for the work, soil and groundwater samples will be taken in the area of concern.

A human health risk assessment will be completed and in addition an ecological evaluation will be completed to confirm that cleanup efforts have mitigated risks to the Whitefish River.

“The evaluation will determine the best way to cleanup for the human health concern,” Gutting said.

After the various tests are complete, DEQ will evaluate the information and propose a final remedy in a plan that will be presented for public comment.