Cleanup and investigation continues into a major train derailment that saw eight cars plunge into a Banff creek.
Fifteen Canadian Pacific cars left the tracks while crossing a bridge over 40 Mile Creek on Dec. 26, with eight falling into the creek. One car contained soybeans and seven contained fly ash – a fine grey powder byproduct from the combustion of coal.
Concerns have been raised about the effects of fly ash on aquatic life in the creek, which is home to four fish species, including bull trout.
A document provided by Parks Canada says fly ash, which may have trace amounts of various elements including arsenic, lead, nickel, mercury and uranium as a result of their presence in coal, “may cause long-term adverse affects in the aquatic environment.”
Both Parks Canada and Canadian Pacific Railway declined interview requests this week, and instead emailed statements.
Officials with the railway giant say environmental consultants have been hired, and remain onsite coordinating the cleanup and taking both air and water samples. With Parks Canada, CP is working on a remediation plan to remove any remaining fly ash from 40 Mile Creek.
Salem Woodrow, public affairs and communications manager for CP, said in an email it is “too early to determine” how much fly ash was released into the creek.
“The cleanup of the area is ongoing. All fly ash cars have been removed,” wrote Woodrow in the email.
“There is a soybean car that is downstream of the bridge and acting as a partial dam across the creek. All decisions made around removal of this car and product is done in consultation, and with approval, of Parks Canada.”
In the email from CP, Woodrow said there will be more cleanups and assessments in spring after the thaw.
“We are also mindful of the need for wildlife management in the area and will work with Parks Canada on appropriate mitigations,” she wrote in the statement.
Parks Canada has previously voiced concerns the soybeans may attract hungry bears in spring, but despite several attempts over a two-day period for an interview, it was denied.
“Parks Canada will be better able to begin assessing the potential long-term effects once the clean-up is complete, which should be in the spring,” according to Parks Canada’s statement to the Outlook.
The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) continues its investigation.
The investigation will look into train speed, locomotive data and the condition of the track and affected bridge. The findings will be available in a report once the investigation has been completed.
TSB statistics show 2014 had the highest rates for derailments in Alberta in five years. From January to November, there were 27 main-track derailments, with seven containing dangerous goods.
Fly ash is also deemed a ‘hazardous chemical’ by the federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration hazard communication standard.
According to the Material Safety Data Sheet provided by Parks Canada, human exposure to fly ash may cause serious chemical burns in the eye and skin irritation. As well, if inhaled, it may cause respiratory tract irritation. Prolonged or repeated exposure may lead to lung and other diseases.
