ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS OF TRANSPORTING 

 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS: INDUSTRY'S APPROACH 



Peter A. Gill 



Manager, Hazardous Materials Control 



Seaboard Coast Line Industries 



Jacksonville, Florida 



My remarks today represent the policies of Seaboard Coast Line Industries 

 only, and not the entire railroad industry. Our company operates in 13 States 

 and deals with the geographical conditions in these specific areas. Railroads 

 in other parts of the country deal with different geographic conditions and 

 their responses to hazardous materials need to be different. 



As to the railroads' view of the environmental impact of an oil or hazard- 

 ous materials spill, Seaboard Coast Line Industries (SCL) faces unique problems 

 during accidents due to the populous centers that our railroad serves. In ad- 

 dition, the water table is potentially, immediately, and severly impacted in 

 the States where we operate. Railroads in the Western States have hazardous 

 materials accidents and return to operation within hours. It takes us days 

 to do the same. 



Some people may think that our firm is insensitive to the environmental 

 aspects of these incidents. In the past, this may have been the case. How- 

 ever, now there is demonstrable evidence that our firm is very concerned 

 about the impact of the accidental release of hazardous materials. SCL em- 

 ploys specialized personnel who respond to accidents in order to address these 

 environmental problems. Laboratories are hired to accurately assess the types 

 and amounts of materials spilled and where the runoff will carry them. We 

 prefer to split samples with State and Federal agencies to assure that every- 

 one is working from the same data. With the news media reporting the happen- 

 ings from the scene of the incident, it is imperative that the information 

 being released is accurate. 



SCL recognizes that it cannot control what information the public re- 

 ceives; however, the company can influence the information the media gets. 

 Yet, the company does not attempt to cover up any information because truth in 

 dealing with these matters is essential. The company is proud of the integ- 

 rity it has established. Inaccurate information in these instances results 

 in unacceptable consequences to the public. Water supplies, food supplies, 

 livestock, gardens, and pets all can appear to be threatened from the public's 

 point of view, when in reality, the only thing that is exaggerated ^s the 

 media report. 



As concerned individuals, we should not allow anyone to damage the envi- 

 ronment. As good citizens, we would not knowingly do this. However, the 

 media often creates an atmosphere of over reaction among their listeners and 



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