BNSF contains diesel spill near Columbia River

BNSF Railway has contained a diesel spill along its tracks between Pasco and McNary dam, near the Columbia River, state officials said. The engine’s fuel tank was punctured early Friday morning by a large rock near railroad mile 203, according to the Department of Ecology. The diesel leaked to the rail bed, but has not reached the river. BNSF hired spill response contractors to contain the spill and drain the remaining fuel from the tank, officials said. The contractors will also develop a plan to remove contaminated soil from the rail bed. “BNSF responded quickly to the spill, and so far no sheen has been spotted in the river,” said Central Region Spill Response Manager Jeff Lewis. It’s estimated that between 2,000 and 2,500 gallons of diesel spilled. The river will be monitored over the weekend to look for a fuel sheen. The train originated at Pasco and was hauling general freight to Seattle.