EPA v. SOUTHERN PACIFIC TRANSPORTATION COMPANY

Case summary

SOUTHERN PACIFIC DISCHARGED APPROXIMATELY $19,000 GALLONS OF METAM SODIUM FROM A RAILROAD TANK CAR TO THE SACRAMENTO RIVER WHEN THE TRAIN DERAILED WHILE TRAVERSING THE CANTARA LOOP NEAR DUNSMUIR, CA. THE POPULATION PLUME DESTROYED 45 MILES OF THE SACRAMENTO RIVER AND IMPACTED PORTIONS OF SHASTA LAKE.THERE IS A CLEAN WATER ACT CLAIM, A COST RECOVERY CLAIM, AND A NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGES CLAIM.

Defendants (7)

• AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATIONNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• GENERAL AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION CORP.Named in complaintNamed in settlement
• RIO GRANDE HOLDING COMPANYNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• RIO GRANDE INDUSTRIES, INC.Named in complaintNamed in settlement
• SOUTHERN PACIFIC TRANSP. CO. HOLDING INCNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• SOUTHERN PACIFIC TRANSPORTATION CO.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• SOUTHERN PACIFIC TRANSPORTATION COMPANY

  CANTARA LP ON HWY 5, DUNSMUIR, CA, 96025

  Registry ID: 110010706147

Statutes cited

• CERCLA 107A — Cost Recovery
• CWA 311 — Oil and Hazardous Substance Liability
• CERCLA 107 — Superfund

Enforcement conclusions (2)

• SOUTHERN PACIFIC - RIO GRANDE ET AL.entered 1996-01-08

  Primary law: CERCLA

  Federal penalty: $500,000 · State/local: $500,000

• SOUTHERN PACIFIC - AMVAC, AMERICAN VANGUARDentered 1996-01-08

  Primary law: CERCLA

Timeline (8 milestones)

• 1991-08-30Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 1991-09-30PRN Sent
• 1992-07-08Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1992-12-17Complaint Filed With Court
• 1996-01-08Final Order Lodged
• 1996-01-08Final Order Entered
• 1996-01-08Concluded
• 1996-09-23Enforcement Action Closed