MassDEP Fines Railroad Companies $121,000
for Environmental Violations at Deerfield Rail Yard Sites

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) assessed a $121,000 penalty to three railroad companies operating in western Massachusetts for failing to properly assess and cleanup hazardous materials at two rail yard sites in Deerfield. 

MassDEP is requiring Pan Am Railways, Boston and Maine Railroad Corporation, and the Springfield Terminal Railway Company to finalize the assessment of contaminants on-site and undertake a more aggressive remediation process at the Deerfield Rail Yard in East Deerfield and the former Lake Asphalt facility on River Road. 

The companies also failed to submit required status reports, and failed to comply with public involvement requirements for the assessment and remediation process.
                                                         
"The failure of the railroad companies to comply with their environmental obligations is unacceptable," said Michael Gorski, director of MassDEP's Western Regional Office in Springfield. "We are encouraged by this agreement that the railroad will be more committed to bringing the sites into compliance moving forward."

Under a consent order with MassDEP, the railroad companies must undertake cleanup measures that include additional assessment activities to identify, delineate on-site and remediate any contaminants found. The companies must also perform public notification and involvement activities, including the creation of a web site for the Town of Deerfield where assessment results and remediation plans will be posted for review and comment by the public.

The consent order requires that the remedial measures and past due regulatory requirements, including submittal of assessment and cleanup reports, be completed in the next four months.

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