Mosier officials describe wastewater damage, monitoring and why trains restarted after derailment

Mayor Arlene Burns convened the Mosier City Council’s special meeting on June 9 to hear updates from Unified Command about the June 3 Union Pacific oil-train derailment and its effects on local water and sewage systems.

John Grimm, Mosier’s city engineer, told the council the derailment allowed oil to enter a manhole and flow toward the wastewater treatment plant, where he said the plant’s "good bacteria" were "killed." Grimm estimated about "10,000 gallons" of oil entered the plant, which captured much of the material and acted like an oil-and-water separator. He said the plant’s outfall pipe to the river has been capped, another underground pipe may need replacement, and engineers from Union Pacific are inspecting the facility; UP will cover costs. Until repairs are complete, Mosier’s sewage is being trucked to Hood River.

Officials described environmental monitoring and cleanup steps already under way. The Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health (CTEH) has been conducting air monitoring since the derailment and will continue, and Unified Command representatives said gas readings have not shown significant levels for several days. Excavation to remove contaminated soil has begun; crews reported digging approximately 5 feet and will continue removing soil until samples show no visible oil. Residents were advised to contact the command center if they smell odors.

Water-supply issues were also discussed. There had been a boil-water advisory that ended the night of June 5; low pressure from hydrant use was noted. Grimm said roughly 600 feet of sewer line will be replaced and projected that sewer trucking could stop once replacements were complete (target date provided in the meeting was June 17). The wastewater plant was expected to be cleaned by June 9 and possibly operational by June 15, with fecal material to be brought in from The Dalles to help re-establish beneficial bacteria, according to Grimm.

Council President Emily Reed and federal On-Scene Coordinator Richard Franklin described how local mutual aid activated state and federal response under a Unified Command structure. Franklin, who said he has worked 13 derailments, called Mosier’s incident response "the best he'd seen," and both Franklin and Mosier Fire Chief Jim Appleton praised the multi-agency coordination.

Several residents questioned the timing of resuming rail traffic. A community member asked how the decision to restart service was made; Franklin said Unified Command decisions weigh protection of waterways and public health. Resident Brent Foster said he had photographs showing "oil dripping out of the cars and sitting on tarps" and asked whether that posed a risk if a passing train sparked. Union Pacific’s Tim O’Brien responded that the liquid Foster observed was cooling water and foam residue, not oil.

Residents also raised concerns about evacuation communications and the pace of cleanup. Jim Appleton acknowledged gaps in public communication and apologized for not getting information out more effectively. County-wide alerts were promoted and residents were encouraged to sign up for Wasco County’s Citizen Alert system.

Community members urged further action beyond immediate cleanup. Speakers encouraged involvement in regional advocacy groups and suggested the council explore legal counsel; one participant urged reviewing the city’s evacuation plan for larger regional events.

The council announced a follow-up public meeting at the Mosier Grange to explain the process and answer further questions. After the public session the council entered executive session under ORS 192.660(2)(h) to consult with legal counsel; the public meeting reconvened and the council adjourned at 10:00 p.m.