150 responders Friday were cleaning up downstream from the site of a train derailment in Stillwater County.
That’s according to an early afternoon news release Friday from Unified Command, which reported crews had picked up approximately 35,000 pounds of asphalt material from the Yellowstone River as of yesterday Thursday evening.
At a public meeting Thursday night, Paul Peronard (per-nahrd) with Unified Command said the asphalt material is legally considered oil and floats down the river like blobs of taffy.
“They break up,” he said. “And as it moves down the river, it keeps breaking up. So, the bad news there, right? We’ll start with the bad news. Some of this material is broken up in small enough pieces that it’s traveling at the pace of the river - it’s already in the Gulf of Mexico.”
Unified Command estimates up to 500,000 pounds of asphalt may be in the river. Peronard says crews are typically able to collect 30 percent of the contaminant that hits water.
The river remains closed 2 and a half miles downstream and 1 mile upstream of the site. Participants in the upcoming Yellowstone Boat Float this weekend are reminded that the last takeout before closure is Indian Fort Fishing Access Site in Reed Point.
Officials have stopped daily water quality testing of the river after nearly 2 weeks of daily testing showed no detectable levels of contaminant from the derailment.
A drop off site for waste has been established at Holmgren’s Fishing Access site for anyone who has collected material. Members of the public who spot contamination in the river or landowners who need to file a claim can email rpderailment@mtrail.com.
The Oiled Wildlife Care Network Response hotline is also taking tips from people who notice impacted animals. They can be reached at 888-ASK-OWCN (888-275-6926.)
With all cars now out of the water, construction crews are preparing to replace the downed bridge.
More information can be found at this dashboard put together by Unified Command.