Duane Hicks
The Town of Fort Frances has turned down an offer to dispose potash at the local landfill after deeming it a potential hazard to the environment.
In the aftermath of the 35-car train derailment that occurred May 23 in Alberton Township, CN has had to clean up spilled cargo (mainly potash) at the site.
Environmental and Facilities superintendent Doug Herr told the Times yesterday that a CN official asked the town if it would consider allowing roughly 2,700 tons (equivalent to 30 rail cars) of potash to be disposed at its landfill site.
“After some consideration, CN was advised that the town would not allow this product be taken to the landfill, greatly due to the product volume and its potential hazard to the environment,” Herr noted.
“This product is a fertilizer; when applied under proper application, it is considered beneficial,” added Herr.
“[But] a large volume of the material in place in one location could become hazardous to the environment.”
The eastbound train that derailed—en route from Manitoba to the U.S.—consisted of three locomotives and 168 cars in total.
The majority of the derailed cars were carrying potash and paper products, with two carrying dangerous goods (sulphur).
The clean-up effort has been made more difficult by the fact the derailment happened in a swampy area.
