Cottage Grove, OR—The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality responded to a diesel spill in Cottage Grove that occurred Tuesday around noon. An estimated 1,200 gallons of diesel spilled onto the tracks and surrounding soil after railroad equipment punctured the train’s fuel tank.

The train did not derail, and no waterways are affected.

The spill is near S. 6th Ave. and Highway 99, just southwest of Bohemia Park. Crews will begin excavating and removing diesel-contaminated soil likely Wednesday. Construction equipment may cause traffic delays in the area.

The train is owned and operated by Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad, which deployed contractors to clean up the spill. DEQ will oversee the cleanup.

Media contacts:

DEQ: Laura Gleim, 503-577-3697, laura.gleim@deq.oregon.gov;
Harry Esteve; 503-951-3856; harry.esteve@deq.oregon.gov

Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad: Tom Ciuba, 203-202-8926, tom.ciuba@gwrr.com