Summary Information
(last updated on: 4/18/2019 8:47:10 AM)
[April 2019] DEQ Record of Decision was signed on January 2018. Remedial action is being implemented.
[August 2017] DEQ accepted public comments on its proposed cleanup plan until June 30, 2017 at 5 p.m. A public meeting was held on Monday evening, May 22nd starting at 6:00 p.m. at Kelley Middle School (cafeteria), 850 Howard Avenue in Eugene. DEQ is recommending that the final cleanup actions for the site include: 1) Institutional controls on the site; 2) Groundwater monitoring at 15 wells for an additional five years; 3) Periodic land and water use review in the adjacent neighborhoods; and 4) A contingency plan for additional sampling if any nearby owners use ground water for domestic (drinking, bathing, etc.) uses. The public comments that DEQ received were responded to in May through July 2017. A record of decision document is being prepared for this site.
Railroad operations that began in the early 1900s at the Eugene Railyard caused releases of chemicals to soil and groundwater on the rail yard. Under DEQ's oversight, Union Pacific has investigated the nature and extent of this contamination, and the risk it poses to human health and the environment from 1993 until the present time.
Soil and groundwater contamination within the Railyard mainly consists of petroleum hydrocarbons, industrial solvents, and metals. Outside the Railyard, low levels of solvents are found in groundwater underlying portions of the Trainsong and River Road neighborhoods. Soil in neighborhoods is not affected by the contamination.
DEQ has determined that contaminant levels in well water in the River Road and Trainsong neighborhoods are currently below DEQ's regulatory cleanup levels for outdoor uses, including irrigation, washing, and filling of outdoor swimming pools. All homes in these neighborhoods are connected to the municipal water supply, making indoor tap water safe to drink.
DEQ has also evaluated the threat of contaminant vapors impacting residents in Trainsong and River Road. While vapor issues were a concern in a small part of Trainsong previously, currently vapor concentrations are below levels of concern in all areas.
DEQ has reviewed the Feasibility Study, which evaluated cleanup options for the site. Based on this study, and public comments received a "Record of Decision" was issued on January 30, 2018, that outlines the selected "remedy" and descibes in detail how that will be implemented to ensure the cleanup remains protective of human health and the environment.
| Site: |
UPRR - Eugene Yards (ECSI Site ID: 312) |
CERCLIS (EPA) Id | 047086210 |
| Project Manager: |
MARGARET OSCILIA |
Investigative Status: | Listed on the Confirmed Release List or Inventory |
| PM Phone: |
503-726-6522
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NPL(National Priority Listing): | No |
| Address: |
341 Bethel Dr. |
Is this site an Orphan? | No |
| Eugene,
97402 |
Is this site a brownfield? | No |
| County: |
LANE |
Action Underway or Needed: |
REMEDIAL DESIGN |
| Region: |
Western Region |
Click for more details ... |
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Aerial view of UPRR-Eugene and Neighborhoods
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10/23/2007
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Google Earth Map with the Locations of Some of the Private Wells That Were Previously Sampled And September 2004 Solvent Areas
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9/30/2004
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Possible 4-15-1959 Date -- Old Eugene Rail Yard Photo From Tom Dill Collection
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8/4/2017
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Unknown Date -- Old Eugene Rail Yard Photo of Former Roundhouse (Constructed in 1927 and existing until later 1990's) From Tom Dill Collection
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8/4/2017
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Rod Compliance Monitoring Well locations
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1/30/2018
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