September 17, 2002


Thank you for you letter dated July 21, 2002 that outlined your concerns for the safety of BNSF RR and Amtrak employees and passengers in the event of a chemical release from the US Army Umatilla Depot, located at Umatilla, OR.

Extensive emergency response planning has taken place to protect not only BNSF RR employees and Amtrak but over 140,000 people who live and work within a 50 -kilometer radius of the Umatilla Depot. A Rail Safety Zone has been established between MP 170 and MP 215. Attached is the BNSF RR Emergency Response Plan for the Umatilla Chemical Agent Storage and Disposal Facility Umatilla, OR.

If a release does occur, Benton County Emergency Communication Center will make immediate notification to BNSF's Service Interruption Desk - North. This number does not get stacked and will be answered immediately. If the SID is not available, they will contact BNSF's Resource Operations Center (ROC).

The Service Interruption Desk will notify the dispatcher and chief dispatcher responsible for the Northwest Division, Fallbridge Subdivision. The Umatilla Emergency Plan will be used by the dispatcher to contact all eastbound and westbound trains. Specific procedure includes:

1. Stop all eastbound trains west of milepost 170 (Whitcomb)

2. Stop all westbound trains east of milepost 215 (Yellepit)

3. All trains, east of westbound, between MP 170 and 215 will be instructed to close windows and shut down all heaters and air conditioners. Trains will continue at track speed through the Rail Safety Zone.

4. If trains traveling in the Rail Safety Zone are stopped due to an emergency such as an emergency brake application or a Hot Journal Detector, crew will be instructed to uncouple the lead engine and continue beyond MP 170 or 215.

A copy of the emergency response plan will be posted on safety bulletin boards and where employees report for work. A Job Safety Briefing outlining the key elements of the plan will be presented to all train crews who operate over the Fallbridge Subdivision of the Northwest Division.

Again, thank you for your concern for our co-workers safety.

/s/ Greg Stengem
VP, Safety, Training and Operations Support

cc: Mark Kotter

Jay L Schollmeyer Vice General Chairman Portland, OR 97215 Email jay@jaysworks.com

The United States Army operates a chemical storage depot in Umatilla, Oregon. There are 3,700 tons of chemical weapons (Mustard, Sarin and VX nerve gas) stored at the depot.

On July 15, 1997, J.D. Fitzgerald raised the question of safety when the U.S. Army announced the construction of a chemical weapons incinerator at the Umatilla Chemical Depot. Five years later J.D. Fitzgerald has not received an answer and the U.S. Army has begun testing the incinerator and expect to be operational by May of 2003

The U.S Army has established emergency zones. Note the enclosed map, the blue body of water is the Columbia River and the BNSF Fallbridge Subdivision is located on the north bank of the Columbia River.

For people that live or work in the emergency zones in Oregon and Washington around the Umatilla Chemical Depot, the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program 's five-part warning system will alert people there is a chemical emergency at the Depot.

Because BNSF and Amtrak operate within the eight-mile Immediate Response Zone I would like the following questions answered.

1. Is the contact number that was provided for the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Plan monitored around the clock?
   
2. Does the contact number have priority so it cannot get stacked in a phone answering system?
   
3. Is the above-mentioned contact number tested and verified periodically?
   
4. I would like to see the Dispatchers written action plan. How are employees in the danger zones notified of the life threatening danger and moved to safety?
   
5. Will BNSF employees be informed of the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Plan and instructed on how to respond to an emergency?

 

Yours truly,
/s/J.L. Schollmeyer
Vice General Chairman

cc:   JD Fitzgerald
Tom R. Retterath

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united transportation union
GENERAL COMMITTEE of ADJUSTMENT GO-386
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad and Montana Western Railroad

Dear Mr. Kozak:

Crews represented by this office operate Vancouver to Pasco, WA; Wishram to Pasco, WA and layover in the Pasco WA area. At this time a military storage facility exists at Umatilla, OR, which is just on the south side of the Columbia River.

This military depot contains stockpiles of chemical weapons for the U.S. Military. An incinerator facility has been constructed at the Umatilla Depot to destroy the chemical weapons stored on site. Even with all the precautions and planning, no one can guarantee an accidental release of chemicals from these weapons will not occur during handling and destruction.

The members I represent have voiced concern and apprehension concerning the incineration of these chemicals especially with the common winds in the area and close proximity of the incinerator.

To this point neither the undersigned or any members have been made aware of any emergency response criteria should a release of toxic materials occur. This is especially a concern when crews are en route to or from Pasco, WA.

This letter is to request any information and proposed reactions in an emergency situation that have been developed but not transmitted to employee's working in the potential area of concern. Such information and notification systems for emergencies should be posted and/or made available to all employees who may work in the area during incineration of the chemicals.

Please advise the undersigned of the steps taken to protect and forewarn employees should a release or accident involving these deadly weapons occurs.

Sincerely,
/s/ J.D. Fitzgerald
General Chairman

Cc: Local Chairpersons, Portland/Spokane

The following information is off the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program web site

General Information

Important information about where you live

The chances of an accident involving chemical munitions stored at the Umatilla Army Depot are remote. However, the consequences could be serious. That's why three special emergency zones have been created in this area. These zones have been divided up even further into sectors. During an emergency, the affected emergency sectors and zones will be listed in the Emergency Alert System message on local radio and TV stations. You can prepare now by learning what zones and sectors you live and work in.

Emergency planning zones

• The Immediate Response Zone (IRZ) is the area closest to the Umatilla Army Depot and extends to about 8 miles from the depot.
  
• The Protective Action Zone (PAZ) covers an area up to approximately 20 miles from the depot.
  
• The Marine Safety Zone (MSZ) covers the Columbia River approximately 20 miles above and 20 miles below McNary Dam. Emergency information is available at boat launching points along both sides of the river.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Depending on where you are, you will be instructed to do nothing, shelter in place, or evacuate.

Immediate Response Zone (IRZ) Sectors

• Sector A - is an area in Umatilla County that runs from the Morrow County line and the Umatilla Army Depot boundary east to the Umatilla City limits and the Umatilla River. The northern boundary is the Columbia River. The southern boundary runs from the Agnew Road-Westland Road intersection to the depot.
  
• Sector B - is the City of Umatilla and an area that runs from the Umatilla River east to Ott Road, Craig Road, and Box Canyon. The northern boundary is the Columbia River. The southern boundary is Punkin Center Road.
  
• Sector C - is the City of Hermiston and an area that runs from the Umatilla River east to Ott Road. The northern boundary is Punkin Center Road. The southern boundary is Feedville Road.
  
• Sector D - includes the Cities of Stanfield and Echo and an area east of the Umatilla River. This sector also includes the Hinkle, Echo Meadows and Stanfield Meadows areas. The northern boundary is Feedville Road.
  
• Sector E - is an area in Umatilla County that runs from the Umatilla Army Depot and the Morrow County line east to the Umatilla River and Butter Creek. The northern boundary runs from the Agnew Road-Westland Road intersection to the depot. The southern boundary is the High Line Canal.
  
• Sector F - is an area in Morrow County, southwest of the depot. This sector runs from Bombing Range Road east to the Umatilla County line. The northern boundary is Interstate 84. The southern boundary is Homestead Road.
  
• Sector G - is the City of Irrigon and an area from Paterson Ferry Road east to the Umatilla County Line. The northern border is the Columbia River. The southern border is Interstate 84.
  
• Sector H - is an area that runs from the Interstate 84 Port of Morrow exit east to Paterson Ferry Road. The northern border is the Columbia River. The southern border is Interstate 84.
  
• Sector J - is the Paterson area, and an area from Highway 221 east to Christy Road. The northern border is Highway 14. The southern border is the Columbia River
  
• Sector K- is the Plymouth area, and an area that runs from Christy Road east to McNary Dam. The northern border is Highway 14. The southern border is the Columbia River.

Protective Action Zone (PAZ) Sectors

• Sector N - is the area east of Umatilla and Hermiston. This sector runs from Ott Road east to Cold Springs Road (Highway 37). The northern boundary is the Columbia River. The southern boundary is Feedville/Despain Gulch Road.
  
• Sector P - is an area in Umatilla County that runs from Highway 395 (not including Stanfield and Echo) east to McLintock, Lorenzen, and Rew Roads. The northern boundary is Feedville/Despain Gulch Road. The southern boundary is the Umatilla River.
  
• Sector Q - is an area that runs from the Morrow County line east to Mud Springs Canyon Road. The northern boundary is the High Line Canal, Hunt Ditch and the Umatilla River. The southern boundary is the Morrow County Line, Butter Creek Junction, North Fork Butter Creek Road and Slucher Canyon Road.
  
• Sector R - is an area in Morrow County that runs from Bombing Range Road east to the Umatilla County line. The northern border is Homestead Road. The southern border is Highway 207 and Doherty-Klinger Road.
  
• Sector S - is an area south of Boardman that includes the Boardman Bombing Range and the P.G.E. coal-fire plant and an area that runs from Six Mile Canyon east to Bombing Range Road. The southern border is Immigrant Road.
  
• Sector T - includes the Boardman area the Port of Morrow and an area that runs from Tower Road east to Bombing Range Road. The northern boundary is the Columbia River. The southern boundary is the northern border of the Boardman Bombing Range.
  
• Sector U - is an area west of Paterson that runs from the Klickitat County line east to Highway 221. The northern border is Sellards Road. The southern border is Highway 14.
  
• Sector V - is an area northeast of Paterson that runs from Highway 221 east to Plymouth Road. The northern border is Sellards Road. The southern border is Highway 14.
  
• Sector W - is an area northeast of Plymouth that runs from Plymouth Road east to Finley Road. The northern border is made up of Williams, Locust Grove, Bateman, Owens and Kirk Roads. The southern border is the Columbia River