Riverkeeper and allies are taking action to stop coal currently spilling into the Columbia River. We are enforcing the Clean Water Act, patrolling the Columbia, and utilizing citizen volunteers.
Columbia Riverkeeper, Sierra Club, Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, Friends of the Columbia Gorge, and North Sound Baykeeper joined together to enforce the law against illegal pollution. We sent a “60-day notice of intent to sue” to several coal companies and Burlington Northern Santa Fe for spilling coal into rivers and bays in Washington. The Clean Water Act prohibits discharging pollutants unless the state grants a pollution permit. Here, the coal shippers are spilling coal. A lot of coal.
PHOTOS & VIDEOS
We have captured photos & videos of spilled coal and samples along 100 miles of the Columbia River. More photos & videos below.
Watch a video of an uncovered coal train going through the Gorge
Learn more about all the coal already polluting the Columbia River
Watch the KGW News segment, featuring Riverkeeper Brett, on finding coal in the Columbia River
Read The Oregonian's coverage. For more links to news coverage of our efforts to stop this illegal pollution, scroll to the bottom of this post.
How does coal get in the river?
From the video above, it is not difficult to see how the overfilled coal cars spill coal on windy days. The coal protrudes above the rim of the uncovered coal cars. In addition, it is likely that coal leaks out the bottom of the cars because there are “weep holes” that allow water to drain. In many places, the trains travel right along the Columbia River and cross dozens of tributaries on trestles.
How many coal trains are currently in the Gorge?
We don’t know exactly, but the estimate is 2 or 3 coal trains per day. The trains are taking coal to the coal-fired power plant in Centralia and to Canadian Ports for export.
How will the current coal export proposals affect coal pollution in the Gorge?
If built, the proposed export terminals will bring up to 30 new trains full of coal (and 30 empty trains) through the Gorge every day. This would create stunning impacts from coal and diesel pollution, blocked traffic, noise and dust in communities, and derailments.
What’s next?
Unless the coal companies and BNSF stop the coal pollution, Riverkeeper and allies will file suit in federal court on June 2, 2013 to enforce the Clean Water Act.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCMBU_zhTY4&list=UUdrVTZTsccPjgYX6V2YZCcg&index=1[/youtube]
NEWS COVERAGE
Articles & photo essays highlighting our efforts to stop coal currently spilling into the Columbia River:
Sierra Club plans to sue railroads, coal companies over coal dust pollution in Northwest. The Oregonian. By Scott Learn. April 2, 2013.
Columbia River coal dust is subject of environmental lawsuit (photos). The Oregonian. By Motoya Nakamura. April 2, 2013.
Environmental Groups Announce Plan To Sue Rail And Coal Companies Under Clean Water Act. OPB's EarthFix. By Ashley Ahearn. April 2, 2013.
Environmental Groups Plan to Sue BNSF Over Coal. The Seattle Met. By Erica C. Barnett. April 2, 2013.
Environmental groups might sue coal companies over coal spilled en route to ports. Wyoming Public Media. By Irina Zhorov. April 2, 2013.
Groups to sue BNSF, others over coal in waterways. Billings Gazette. April 2, 2013.
Oregon: Groups Give Notice to Sue Over Coal Dust. New York Times. By Michale Wines. April 2, 2013.
Environmentalists signal they’ll sue BNSF over coal dust. The Seattle Times. By Hal Bernton. April 2, 2013.
Protecting Northwest Communities from Coal Dust Pollution. Huffington Post. By Mary Anne Hitt. April 3, 2013.
Coal Transporters Held Accountable for Contamination of Local Waterways. EcoWatch. April 3, 2013.
Environmental group pans Gorge coal trains. KGW News. March 29, 2013.
Groups Sue Over Coal In Columbia. Hood River News. April 12, 2013.
Coal Foes Sue BNSF: Clean Water Act Is Suit Basis. The Dalles Chronicle. April 17, 2013.
