From the July 1, 2003 issue of the Kansas City Star: Railroad Fined for N.D. Derailment Associated Press BISMARCK, N.D. - The state fined a railroad $925,000 Tuesday for environmental violations stemming from an ammonia spill earlier this year that killed one person and injured hundreds. Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said $500,000 of the settlement is earmarked to build a water system for a housing subdivision that was engulfed by an ammonia cloud. The remainder is compensation for the Canadian Pacific Railway's violation of air and water pollution and hazardous waste laws, Stenehjem said. As part of the settlement, the railroad was not required to admit it violated the law. "From my point of view, I think that the settlement is fair," said Pat Pender, a railroad vice president. Thirty-one cars carrying anhydrous ammonia, which is used as farm fertilizer, derailed Jan. 18, 2002, on the west edge of Minot. Eleven cars ruptured, releasing ammonia gas that billowed over the housing development. One man died from inhaling ammonia fumes, and more than 1,000 sought medical treatment. The subdivision's homes are served by water wells, and residents are worried about the long-term effects of the spill on their groundwater, said Thom Mellum, the Ward County emergency manager. The railroad has already paid for the cleanup itself, including soil and ice removal, said Dave Glatt, chief of the state Health Department's environmental health section.
Just curious- I'm guessing that there is also probably ongoing litigation by the effected individuals? I'll bet that these days when they hear a train horn, it's not a welcome sound. Boxcab E50
That very spill happened 10 miles from home... I never got pics, as the spill area was so dangerous that nobody could get within 300 yards of it without being on a cleanup crew. I can guarantee CP is gonna pay out a LOT more than just .9 million to ND... The lawsuits against them from the wreck from the hardest hit folks will eclipse that figure easily. CP even 'bought' the city of Minot off, paying 250 bucks to anyone in the city to comedown and sign a non-liability form saying they won't sue CP. Most of the city did, but I'm sure there are a few seeking returibution from injuries stemming from the ammonia cloud.
