HomeMy WebLinkAbout5242 RESOLUTION NO. 5 2 4 2
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON, EXPRESSING ITS
CONCERNS RELATING TO THE RECENT OIL TRAIN
DERAILMENT AND FIRE IN MOSIER, OREGON
WHEREAS, on June 3, 2016, 16 cars from a 96-car train transporting highly
flammable Bakken crude oil derailed in the Columbia River Gorge City of Mosier,
Oregon; and
WHEREAS, four of those 16 derailed cars caught fire, and some oil leaked into
the Columbia River, which has since been contained; and
WHEREAS, the derailed cars damaged the City of Mosier's wastewater
treatment facilities, requiring a boil water order for residents, and the removal of about
10,000 gallons of oil from the city's sewer system; wastewater is currently being trucked
to nearby Hood River, Oregon for treatment; and
WHEREAS, the derailment, which occurred approximately 200 feet from a school
in the City of Mosier, aiso required the evacuation of about 100 people — about a
quarter of Mosier's residents; and
WHEREAS, the City of Mosier and Union Pacific Railroad officials
readily acknowledge that the Mosier derailment and subsequent fire could have
been a significantly more serious, catastrophic disaster; the fire could easily have
destroyed the C ity and spread to outlying areas, particularly since the Columbia River
Gorge regularly sees winds that could have easily fanned the flames of the derailment
fire; and
WHEREAS, Mosier Mayor Arlene Burns expressed the City's strong objection
to Union Pacific's plans to restart running trains, including oil trains laden with the
containing highly flammable Bakken crude, through the City just a couple days after the
derailment; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council President of Mosier have asked Oregon
Governor Kate Brown to intervene to help ensure that rail traffic through Mosier stops
until Union Pacific both cleans up the highly flammable material and derailed cars, and
determines the cause of the derailment; and
WHEREAS, the Mosier derailment is just the latest in a string of oil train
derailments, some of which have occurred in populated areas: in July, 2013, a 73-car
train transporting highly flammable Bakken crude oil derailed in the town of Lac-
Megantic, Quebec and exploded, killing 47 people, spilling 1 5 million gallons of oil,
Resolution No. 5242
June 13, 2016
Page 1
destroying 30 buildings in the town, and requiring the demolition of three dozen more
buildings due to contamination; in January, 2014, an oil train derailed into the Shuylkill
River in Philadelphia, with luckily no oil leaking into the river; in February 2014, an oil
train derailed and caught fire in Lynchburg, Virginia, spilling some 30,000 gallons of
oil into the James River; and
WHEREAS, recent events make abundantly clear that unless effective action
is taken, such as slower speeds through communities, improved tanker specifications
for transportation of hazardous materials and improved track integrity inspections, there
will continue to be oil train derailments and resulting, fires, oil spills, and loss of life.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN,
WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES as follows:
Section 1 That the Ciry Council of the City of Auburn expresses its support for
the City of Mosier and its concerns about more oil being shipped by rail through Mosier
or other affected cities until both the clean-up has concluded and Union Pacifc
ensures that the causes of the derailment are identified and corrected.
Section 2. That the Mayor is authorized to implement such administrative
procedures and action as may be necessary to carry out the directives of this
legislation, including calling upon Governor Inslee and the City of Auburn's
Congressional delegation to assure that appropriate steps are taken to safeguard
communities from the threat of further Bakken oil trail derailments and resulting fires.
Section 3 That this Resolution shall take effect and be in full force upon
passage and signatures hereon.
�
Dated and Signed this �� day of �_ , 2016
CITY OF AUBURN
ATTEST ANCY B F US, MAYOR
�
Danielle E. Daskam, City Clerk
APP ED T ORM:
Da iel B. Hei , ity Attorney
Resolution No. 5242
June 13, 2016
Page 2