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Announcement: August 9th: 4000 Gallons of Fuel Spills to West Branch,Delaware
We received the following announcement this morning from Jeff Skelding of Friends of the Upper Delaware River:
Train Derailment near Deposit, NY
Possible 4000 Gallons of Diesel Fuel Spills to West Branch, Upper Delaware River
(Reports are that the diesel fuel spill is limited to the locomotives which are spilling into the above-pictured feeder creek of the Delaware West Branch.) We'll update you as more information becomes available.
At approximately 2:30 this morning a Norfolk/Southern "mixed cargo" train transporting various types of waste derailed just above the Hale Eddy Bridge, on the West Branch of the Upper Delaware River, near Deposit, NY.
Highly visible diesel fuel slicks and strong fuel odors have been detected as far south as Lordville, NY and likely much further downstream. The derailment occurred at a time when the Upper Delaware region has experienced recent torrential rainstorms, in addition to high releases from the NYC Delaware basin reservoirs.
FUDR is in touch with the NYSDEC and other first responders and here's what we know:
- NYSDEC is reporting that the train was carrying an estimated 4000 gallons of diesel fuel and a "large percentage" has spilled into the river.
- At least two rail cars are in the river.
- According to NYSDEC they believe the cars in the river are either empty or contain construction and demolition debris.
- NYSDEC Region 4 emergency spill team, fisheries, law enforcement, and drones are on site.
- High water makes it difficult to capture fuel; responders are looking for eddies and pooled up areas to address first.
- National Park Service officials are on site.
We will keep you posted as more information comes in.
For the river,
Jeff Skelding, Executive Director
410-245-8021