Western Railroad Discussion > State orders UP to fix storm water run-off (Laramie)

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) -- The state has ordered the Union Pacific Railroad to fix a violation in storm water run-off from the company's rail yard here.

In a letter of violation, Barbara L. Sahl, storm water coordinator for the state Department of Environmental Quality, wrote that a visit to the site on Sept. 14 showed that particles of coal and other sediment had spread for at least two blocks into a residential area, according to the Casper Star-Tribune.

Such discharge without a permit is a violation of the state's Environmental Quality Act, Sahl said, because the sediment may be entering or could enter the surface water of the state through storm drains.

The letter, dated Tuesday, asked that a plan to prevent sedimentation from spreading into adjacent streets be submitted by Nov. 30. At a minimum, it continued, sufficient steps to prevent further sedimentation must be in place by Dec. 31.

A plan for a permanent solution, including a schedule of implementation, must be submitted by April 30.

UP spokesman John Bromley said Friday railroad officials hadn't yet seen the letter.

"We'll review the request from the state and see what actions need to be taken," he said. "The yard has been there forever. Is there something new? The answer may be that it has just been a wet season -- there's been a little bit more rain than usual."

Information from: Star-Tribune, http://www.casperstartribune.net