BNSF Train Derailment
Scroll down for press releases regarding the BNSF train derailment near Heimdal
Photo by Heimdal resident Curt Benson, shortly after derailment (Photo by Curt Benson)
Water Quality Monitored Near Derailment Site, May 8
BNSF Media Statement on Heimdal, N.D. as of 5:00 p.m. CDT May 7
BNSF Media Statement as of 10 pm on May 6
Statement from Congressman Kevin Cramer
Statement from Senator Heidi Heitkamp
Statement from Senator John Hoeven
Press Release from Wells County Emergency Manager, Tammy Roehrich 5/6/15 11:30 a.m.
Statement from Sarah Feinberg, Acting Federal Railroad Administrator 5/6/15 11:00 a.m.
Department of Health Issues Advisory for People with Respiratory Conditions Near Heimdal Derailment
Water Quality Monitored Near Derailment Site, May 8
BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) investigators have been at the site of the Heimdal derailment since Wednesday, and are currently monitoring water quality in the area. Although the investigation and testing is ongoing, at this time investigators report no contamination of the drainages leading to the James River and no contamination of the river itself. No communities obtain their drinking water from the James River. Heimdal obtains its drinking water from a pipeline, which was not affected by the derailment.
The site is surrounded by a small wetland containing thick growths of cattails and other vegetation. The vegetation, along with booms deployed by the responders, has kept spilled oil confined to a relatively small area around the site. Investigators have patrolled the location in air boats and have not observed oil sheen outside of the boomed area. Officials have not been able to determine how much oil remains on the ground or in the surrounding wetlands, but based on estimates of the quantity of oil recovered and known to have burned, it appears to be less than 60,000 gallons.
Investigators will be sampling ground water in the area, including a well that Heimdal no longer uses for their water supply.
There are no remaining air quality issues near the derailment site. The NDDoH will continue to work with the EPA, the National Transportation Safety Board, BNSF and local responders to coordinate testing and remediation efforts as they relate to public health.
For more information, contact Dave Glatt at 701.328.5150.
BNSF Media Statement on Heimdal, N.D. as of 5:00 p.m. CDT May 7
BNSF estimates the mainline track in Heimdal, N.D. involved in a derailment of six tank cars carrying crude oil on May 6, 2015 will open at approximately 1:00 p.m. CDT on Friday May 8th, 2015.
BNSF crews are currently working to clean up the area, remove the derailed cars, and repair the damaged track at that location.
We are thankful there are no injuries and regret the inconvenience this incident has caused local residents. BNSF has established a Claims Center in the area and is reaching out to affected residents to assist with expenses associated with their evacuation.
BNSF Media Statement as of 10:00 pm CDT on May 6, 2015
The fires involving today’s derailed tank cars in Heimdal, ND have now been extinguished. Local residents who were earlier evacuated from the area near the derailment have been advised by local officials that it is safe to return to their homes. While some small pool fires remain, they are controllable and do not pose any significant safety risk.
Local first responders remain on the scene as do BNSF personnel. BNSF team members will continue to assist first responders.
We are thankful there are no injuries and regret the inconvenience this incident has caused local residents. BNSF has established a Claims Center in the area to assist those who evacuated.
BNSF is able to reroute eastbound and westbound Amtrak and BNSF freight traffic to maintain traffic flows.
As of 7 p.m., Amy McBeth, spokesperson for BNSF Railway, reported that the fire is expected to be out this evening. Fire crews are currently using foam and water to put out what is left of the fire. As the tankers cool, the remaining oil will be pulled from the tanks and transferred to other holding containers. “We have built a berm and dike and have installed a containment boom to protect a nearby sough.” She reports that it appears that there has been minimal environmental contamination
Cramer Statement on Heimdal, ND Oil Train Derailment
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer released the following statement after visiting the site of the oil train derailment and fire near Heimdal, ND.
“First, we should all say a special prayer of thanks no one was injured as a result of this derailment and fire. I would like to commend the professionalism and dedication of all of the first responders helping deal with this accident. I have met with federal, state and local officials on scene as well as representatives from BNSF. I am satisfied all which can be done is being done to deal with this accident and its immediate impact on surrounding communities. I will continue to monitor the situation and ensure this remains the case for anyone affected by this accident. Sadly, North Dakota is becoming all too familiar with the scenes of oil car derailments but it is important to remember no amount of regulations will realistically prevent accidents from occurring. Accidents will happen even if no one does anything wrong or improper. Our continuing need to ship crude oil across the country highlights the importance for more pipelines to safely carry crude oil from the Bakken region in North Dakota.”
Heitkamp: Today’s Derailment in North Dakota Reinforces We Must Work Together to Prevent Future Derailments
Since the Derailment in Casselton in 2013, Senator Has Repeatedly Pushed Agencies for Crude-By-Rail Safety Standards, Better Resources for First Responders
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today released the following statement on the derailment of at least 10 BNSF crude oil tank cars near Heimdal, North Dakota.
“Today’s derailment of a crude oil train is the second one in our state in the past year and a half. We cannot allow these to become the norm. It’s encouraging that reports have indicated no one was hurt and I hope everyone continues to listen to our first responders as they work to protect the surrounding communities. This derailment reinforces that all sides need to work together to prevent such derailments from happening – and that has been a top priority of mine since the derailment of a crude oil train in Casselton in 2013. Just last week, the U.S. Department of Transportation released new rules – which I had long called for – about crude-by-rail safety to better protect communities, and I’ll continue to review the rules to make sure they are taking the right action to protect North Dakota families.
“This afternoon I spoke with Fessenden fire chief and the Wells County sheriff about the incident, and I asked to sit down with them in the coming weeks after the situation is resolved to discuss the local and federal responses and find out if there’s anything we could have done at a federal level to give them more support. My RESPONSE Act would take needed steps to make sure our first responders have the training and resources they need to handle derailments of crude oil trains. The first responders on the scene today could provide valuable insight from their experience and my bill supports them as much as possible. I have also been in contact with BNSF and federal agencies and they will continue to keep me aware of any further developments. Working together can we help prevent these incidents from happening, support our first responders, and make sure our state is strong and safe for years to come.”
Just last week, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHSMA) officials announced that the agency had finalized rules to improve crude oil train safety in North Dakota and across the country. Heitkamp has emphasized the swift action from the Administration in approving more robust safety measures – including updated tank car standards – to prevent future derailments and explosions since 2013 the crude oil train derailment in Casselton.
Because of North Dakota’s energy boom and our nationwide reliance on rail to transport oil, small communities see up to nine trains come through per day with more than 100 linked crude oil cars per train. According to the Association of American Railroads, as of mid-2014, more than 60 percent of crude oil produced in North Dakota was transported out of state by rail.
Since the derailment in Casselton in 2013, Heitkamp has been committed to making sure communities in North Dakota and across the country are protected everyday with strong partnerships on all sides, long-lasting crude oil train safety standards, and prepared first response teams:
· Preparing First Responders in Case of Future Crude-by-Rail Emergencies:Focusing on finding ways to provide first responders in North Dakota and across the country with the tools, training, and resources they need to respond to hazardous incidents on the rails, Heitkamp last year unveiled her Railroad Emergency Services Preparedness, Operational Needs, and Safety Evaluation (RESPONSE Act to accomplish these goals. Shortly after reintroducing the bill this Congress, Heitkamp’s RESPONSE Act unanimously passed in the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs – and just weeks later – the Senate adopted an amendment to provide funding for the federal panel her RESPONSE Act would create.
· Pushing for Robust, Lasting and Updated Crude-by-Rail Safety Standards: Last July, DOT and PHSMA heeded Heitkamp’s call to implement updated rules that would help keep communities safe – releasing draft updated standards for tank cars carrying crude oil, classifications and packaging of crude, train speed limits and brakes, as well as other measures. After this proposed rule was released, Heitkamp has worked to keep the pressure up on federal agencies – calling on DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx to finalize its tank car rule in September and again in January when the rule was delayed. Just last month, Heitkamp called on OMB to finalize DOT’s updated safety standard proposals. Heitkamp is continuing to review DOT’s newly released crude-by-rail safety measures, which the agency finalized last week.
· Working to Press All Federal Agencies to Improve Rail Safety Standards: When a crude oil train derailed in Casselton in 2013, Heitkamp immediately got to work to understand what happened, push for rail safety improvements, and to prepare our communities in the case of another rail hazmat emergency. Last year, Heitkamp called on the Federal Railroad Administration to increase track inspections of the rail lines around Casselton. She also pushed PHMSA and industry to share information so PHMSA could finalize its study on the quality and characteristics of crude, and offer a rule as it in July.
· Bringing All Sides Together to Promote Lasting Crude-by-Rail Safety: Heitkamp has continued to bring all sides together to help foster better coordination between the rail and oil industries, federal government, and local communities. In April 2014, Heitkamp hosted DOT Secretary Foxx in Casselton and West Fargo where they discussed ways to improve rail safety across the state. She continues to work closely with DOT, PHMSA, industry leaders, as well as other federal, state, and local officials. The previous month, Heitkamp helped bring together Senators, federal regulators, and energy and railroad industry leaders for a Senate Commerce Subcommittee hearing examining ways to work together to improve rail transportation safety.
HOEVEN STATEMENT ON TODAY’S DERAILMENT IN HEIMDAL, N.D.
WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to the derailment of a train carrying crude oil near Heimdal, North Dakota:
“Our first concern when something like this happens is always lives and property. We’re grateful that there were no reported injuries as a result of today’s derailment. We want to thank the first responders on the scene and our thoughts are with those who had to evacuate their homes to assure their safety. We are also grateful to the state and federal responders who are at or traveling to the scene.
“Today’s incident illustrates why we need a comprehensive approach to rail safety to prevent accidents in the first place and to mitigate their impacts when they do occur. That’s why the new rules for moving crude oil by rail issued earlier this week by the U.S. Department of Transportation are important. We must get the tanker car fleet upgraded. In fact, we have been pushing for measures to make the transport of crude oil safer since 2012, when we asked the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to issue a new standard for safer tanker car construction.
“We don’t yet know the cause of today’s accident, but we need to study it carefully to make sure we are doing all we can to prevent such accidents in the future. We also need to make sure our first responders have the tools they need to protect people and property. In addition, we will continue to review the new DOT safety regulations to ensure that they meet the safety needs of communities in North Dakota and across the country.
“It’s all about safety and everyone – regulators, railroads, oil shippers and first responders on the state, local and federal levels – has a role to play in ensuring that our communities are safe when trains carrying oil pass through them.”
Press Release from Wells County Emergency Manager, Tammy Roehrich
May 6, 11:30 a.m.
A Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad train pulling 109 oil cars derailed at Heimdal, ND on May 6 at approximately 7:15 a.m. Eight cars derailed. As of 11:30 a.m, six cars are burning. The town of Heimdal was evacuated, as were some of the farmsteads to the north. There are no injuries at this time.
Fire Departments from Fessenden, Harvey and Maddock are at the scene. Also providing assistance are the Devils Lake Fire Department and Hazardous Materials teams and the Grand Forks Regional Response Team. Wells County law enforcement and state highway patrol officers are also there.
Presently, emergency crews are monitoring the situation and providing for the safety involved.
May 6 2015 at 11 a.m.
Statement from Sarah Feinberg, Acting Federal Railroad Administrator
"A crude oil train has derailed near Heimdal, North Dakota this morning, resulting in a large fire involving several tank cars. The town of Heimdal is being evacuated. The FRA has deployed a ten person investigation team to the site and will be conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident. Today’s incident is yet another reminder of why we issued a significant, comprehensive rule aimed at improving the safe transport of high hazard flammable liquids. The FRA will continue to look at all options available to us to improve safety and mitigate risks.”
Department of Health Issues Advisory for People With Respiratory Conditions Near Heimdal Derailment
BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) is monitoring air quality near the town of Heimdal, N.D., which was the site of a train derailment and fire earlier today. The NDDoH advises people with respiratory issues to avoid the smoke from the burning rail cars. Heimdal is located between the cities of Harvey and New Rockford in Wells County.
The Health Department’s primary concern at this time is particulate matter contained in the smoke generated from the fire. High levels of particulate matter may harm the passages of the nose, airways and lungs. It may cause shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, coughing, itching, red or watery eyes, and black mucous. The smoke plume is not dispersing well because of current weather conditions. Much of the smoke is remaining close to the ground, where it has greater potential to exacerbate breathing problems.
The North Dakota Department of Health has issued the following health advisory for people in the area who have respiratory conditions:
- People with respiratory conditions, such as asthma, emphysema or bronchitis, should stay inside (except for purposes of evacuating), close their windows, and minimize activity outdoors
- People who may experience symptoms of respiratory distress should seek medical care immediately
- Anyone who is concerned about the smoke may choose to stay indoors
Area residents should monitor local news for future advisories from the NDDoH. For more information, contact Dave Glatt at 701.328.5150.
