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Landowners urge county to push Montana Rail Link and STB for environmental protections if rail line is abandoned
Summary
Local landowners and a resident speaker urged Granite County to stay engaged as Montana Rail Link considers filing for abandonment. Commenters warned of risks from aging bridges, culverts and contaminated fill and proposed a large remediation bond if abandonment proceeds.
A lengthy public comment to the Granite County commission urged the county to remain engaged with the Montana Rail Link (MRL) and the Surface Transportation Board (STB) as the company contemplates abandoning the railroad between Drummond and Philipsburg.
Local landowner Chuck Johnson described a range of environmental and infrastructure concerns that he said should be addressed before any abandonment is approved. Johnson said there are about 10 timber railroad bridges between Drummond and Philipsburg — some with failing supports — and that many culverts under the rail bed convey springs and year-round flows. He warned that collapsed culverts and failing bridge timbers could damage streams, create cleanup costs for adjacent landowners, and require significant equipment and expense to remediate.
Johnson also said the rail line historically carried mining materials and industrial shipments since the late 19th century and that hazardous material residues could be present along the corridor. He argued MRL should be required to investigate and, if necessary, remediate hazardous materials and to control noxious weeds after rails and ties are removed. Johnson urged the county and STB to require Montana Rail Link to post a remediation bond; he suggested $5 million as an illustrative figure to cover potential cleanup and infrastructure replacement costs.
Johnson reported his outreach to MRL’s counsel and to MRL executives about an environmental and historical report MRL filed with the county and the STB. He said MRL had not yet filed a formal abandonment petition as of early April and that MRL’s counsel anticipated filing in several weeks; Johnson urged the county to monitor filings and participate in proceedings as an interested local government.
Why it matters: If the railroad is abandoned, responsibilities for removing infrastructure and addressing environmental impacts may be contested; county input to the STB and careful conditions could reduce long-term liability and protect water and property interests.
Next steps: Commissioners said they would stay engaged and monitor filings; staff and commissioners discussed the county’s role in commenting on STB proceedings and seeking conditions that would protect county waterways and landowners.
