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Town commissioners say trains removed, cleanup shifts to restoration as regulators weigh wetlands permitting
Summary
Commissioners reported that derailed rail cars have been removed and contaminated soil scraped; the railway company is coordinating permits with the Army Corps and state "DEEP," but the town is still seeking agency guidance on whether further river cleanup or wetlands permits are required.
Erin King, vice chair of the Mansfield Conservation Commission, said at the March 18 meeting that all derailed rail cars have been removed and the site has moved from contaminated-soil removal to a restoration phase coordinated by the railway company and state and federal regulators.
"They are currently corresponding primarily with DEEP and the Army Corps," King said, describing the Army Corps of Engineersrole on navigable-waterway permitting. She said contaminated soil was removed and crews are now using clean fill as they begin field restoration and fence repairs.
King told commissioners the contamination encountered prior to cleanup was largely animal fats and greases from cooking oil in one or more rail cars. "There was nothing other than the cooking oil and fat or apparent metal parts that we're concerned about," she said, and added that there were no fuel leaks reported to her knowledge.
Despite progress in removing cars and contaminated soil, King said the town remains uncertain whether the railway company will be required by the state agency (referred to repeatedly in the meeting as "DEEP") to remove smaller scrap from the riverbed or obtain additional wetlands permits for restoration work. "I'm getting a whole lot of cone of silence," she said, urging anyone with contacts at the agency to help facilitate a response.
Commission members asked whether the company or town would hold a public briefing on the checks performed and the results. King said she would coordinate with the town manager to arrange a public update once agency guidance is available. "It would be good to get out what actually happened," a commissioner said, noting the public interest in avoiding rumors about additional unseen spills.
What happens next: King said she will follow up with the town manager and seek DEEPdirection about whether the railway company must remove remaining scrap and whether the town should require additional work beyond the company's response. The commission did not take a formal vote on any action at the March 18 meeting.
