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Department of Ecology News Release - October 21, 2002
02-196
BELLEVUE - The Department of Ecology (Ecology) has fined Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF) $20,000 for spilling over 2,000 gallons of diesel oil into Elliott Bay last December.
The spill occurred last Dec. 13 at BNSF's Interbay railroad yard in Seattle. Approximately 6,900 gallons of oil leaked from a tank car through an uncapped pipe onto the ground. An estimated 2,336 gallons of the oil entered a storm drain that emptied out near the foot of Pier 90.
"This spill was completely avoidable," said Paul O'Brien, who coordinates Ecology's regional spill response in Bellevue. "Even though the company's efforts to contain and clean up the spill were excellent, some very basic maintenance could have prevented the whole thing."
BNSF may appeal the penalty to Ecology within 15 days or to the Washington State Pollution Control Hearings Board within 30 days.
Contact: Larry Altose, public information, 425-649-7009, or pager, 206-663-1785.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
