EPA v. SOUTHERN PACIFIC TRANSPORTATION CO.

Case summary

ON JANUARY 27, 1993, A SOUTHERN PACIFIC FREIGHT TRAIN DERAILED. FOUR HELPER LOCOMOTIVES WERE THROWN FROM THE TRACKS. THE SADDLE TANKS OF THREE LOCOMOTIVES SPILLED A TOTAL OF 6100 GALLONS OF DIESEL FUEL INTO YONCALLA CREEK AND ADJOINING WETLANDS. THE SPILL ENDANGERED THE DRINKING WATER SUPPLY OF NEARBY YONCALLA, OREGON. SEVERAL SPECIES THAT THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSIDERS TO BE CANDIDATES FOR LISTING UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT LIVE IN THIS HABITAT. THE OIL POLLUTION FUND WAS OPENED TO FINANCE THE RECOVERY AND REHABILITATION EFFORT UNDERTAKEN FOR ONE SUCH SPECIES, THE WESTERN POND TURTLE.

Defendants (1)

• SOUTHERN PACIFIC TRANSPORTATIONNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD

  5424 SE MCLOUGHLIN BLVD, PORTLAND, OR, 97202

  Registry ID: 110045635292

Statutes cited

• CWA 311B3 — Clean Water Act
• CWA 301A — Clean Water Act

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• SOUTHERN PACIFIC TRANSPORTATIOentered 1996-01-22

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $58,300

Timeline (7 milestones)

• 1993-09-27Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 1993-09-27Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1994-04-26Complaint Filed With Court
• 1996-01-22Final Order Lodged
• 1996-01-22Final Order Entered
• 1996-01-22Concluded
• 1996-04-05Enforcement Action Closed