Norfolk Southern Train Derailment

February 3, 2023, East Palestine, Ohio

[Photo credit: Eric Pohl, epa.gov]

The Derailment of Train 32N and the Town of East Palestine

Just before 9pm on February 3, 2023, an eastbound Norfolk Southern train suffered a catastraphic failure causing 38 of its 149 cars to derail outside of East Palestine, Ohio. Eleven cars carried a variety of hazardous chemicals including: vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, ethylhexyl acrylate, benzene and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether. Many of these chemicals spilled out and caught fire as a result of the accident. However, emergency responders were concerned about five cars, which they worried could create a devastating explosion if the vinyl chloride they contained underwent a polymerization reaction. Residents were evacuated. Three days later, officials used charges to breach the tank cars in order to create a controlled vent and burn.This produced the towering column of black smoke that has come to visually define the event.

The effects on the surrounding air and water were grave. In the days following the event, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources took a sample count of around 3,000 fish that had died in the local waterways. According to ODNR estimates, the total aquatic life killed was around 38,222 fish and variety of 5,500 aquatic animals such as crayfish, amphibians and macros.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency began immediate remediation of contaminated soil and water. They continue monitoring air and water quality. To date, the project has yielded the following:

176,000 tons--more than 350 million pounds--of contaminated soil
201 drums of miscellaneous material
49,402,284 gallons of wastewater
6.2 million gallons of wastewater treated on-site
28,000 air samples
233 sediment samples
6,232 soil samples
1,025 groundwater samples
3,700 surface water samples
1,309 private well samples
288 drinking water samples

The sheer scope of this project is massive. For the people whose lives were derailed by the accident, it's overwhelming.The EPA has tried to respond to that by producing a monthly newsletter for the residents detailing the work that has been done and what's to come. You can check it out here. It provides a good record of the work that is neccesary to restore this part of the Ohio River Basin and those who live there.

I hope you'll join us on May 22nd as we host a lecture by the EPA's Bill Zawiski. He will expound on the on the event, the EPA's response and its continued clean-up. Bill has been employed by the Ohio EPA since 1989 and is currently the Water Quality Group supervisor in the Ohio EPA's Division of Surface Water, Northeast District.

Regards,

Sara Corrigan

Happenings

City Nature Challenge 2024 - Macroinvertebrate Survey

April 27, 2024, Chippewa Creek, Brecksville Reservation

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

WVP Opportunities

Key

(L)earning: These events include talks, workshops, and training sessions.
(M)onitoring: These events include water quality testing through chemistry and macroinvertebrate monitoring.
(R)estoration: These events include bioretention clean-ups, tree plantings, invasive plant removal, etc.
(O)utreach: These events are used to spread awareness of the Watershed Volunteer Program and general watershed health.

(R) Volunteer Led Work Session: Invasive Garlic Mustard Removal

Wed, May 15, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. @ Baldwin Lake, Mill Stream Run Reservation

(M) Training Session: Bank Erosion Hazard Index (BEHI)*

Mon, May 20, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. @ The Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

(R) Volunteer Led Work Session: Invasive Garlic Mustard Removal

Tue, May 21, 6 -8 p.m. @ Camp Corde, West Creek Reservation

(L) Lecture: Stream Studies and Ecological Response Following the February 2023 Train Derailment in East Palestine with the EPA's Bill Zawiski *

Wed, May 22, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. @ The Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

(R)Work Session: Bioretention Planting

Wed, May 29 , 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. @ Euclid Beach, Euclid Creek Reservation

(R)Work Session: Bioretention Planting

Fri, May 31 , 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. @ Brookside Park, Brookside Reservation

(R) Work Session: Invasive Mugwort Removal

Tue, Jun 4, 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. @ Lakefront Administration, Lakefront Reservation

(R) Volunteer Led Work Session: Invasive Dame's Rocket Removal

Wed, Jun 5, 6 -8 p.m. @ Eastland Road trailhead of the Lake to Lake Trail , Big Creek Reservation

WVP volunteers, please log into Volgistics to register for primary events.

*Open to the public. Click Here or Email us for the registration link.

View Event Details

Conopholis americana encountered during Work Session: Garlic Mustard Removal

May 7, 2024, Sulphur Springs Picnic Area, South Chagrin Reservation

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

Opportunities With Our Partners

(S) Homegrown Conservation: Creating Climate and Wildlife-Friendly Yards

Wed, May 15, 5:30 - 8 p.m. @ Cuyahoga County Department of Public Works

Climate change and biodiversity loss are creating existential threats to people and nature. But we can help. In this presentation, you’ll learn about how traditional landscape management is contributing to climate change and biodiversity loss and discover small steps we can all take in our own backyards and communities to steward our landscapes for nature and wildlife.

More Details and Registration Here

(S) Spring Plant Swap

Sat, May 18, 10.30 a.m.- 1 p.m.@ City of Eastlake Municipal Lot

All you need to do is remove an invasive plant from your property and upload a photo of the removed plant on our sign-up form. After registering, join us on Saturday, May 18th from 10:30 AM to 1 PM at the City of Eastlake municipal lot to receive your free native plant!

More Details and Registration Here

(S) Westlake Rain Barrel Workshop

Wed, May 22, 6 - 8 p.m. @ Market Square at Crocker Park , 239 Market Street Westlake, OH 44145

Participants will learn how to assemble and install their rain barrels at this event. Alternatively, participants can pick up their rain barrel and construct at home with provided online instructional video. The $60 fee includes instruction and all materials, including a 60-gallon barrel, drill bits, and a downspout diverter. If you would like to create a two-barrel system, a second barrel and connector kit is available for an additional $40. Register before May 15.

More Details and Registration Here Fee: $60 for kit and barrel

(S) Guided Walk through Acacia Reservation, Transforming a Golf Course into a Natural Area

Thu, May 30, 6:30 - 8 p.m. @ Cedar Road parking lot, 26899 Cedar Rd, Beachwood, OH 44122W

Join Chris Vild, Environmental Manager for Beachwood, and Jennifer Grieser, Director of Natural Resources for Cleveland Metroparks on a walk through Metropark's Acacia Reservation. The guided walk will cover the history of the space since the Cleveland Metroparks took ownership of the property and what it takes to transform a golf course back into a natural area.

More Details and Registration Here

(S) Rocky River Watershed Council: 25th Annual River Cleanup

Sat, Jun 1, 9 a.m. - Noon @ Emerald Necklace Marina

For 25 years volunteers have been meeting at Emerald Necklace Marina on the first Saturday in June to pick up trash along the stream. This year, the RRWC is proud to celebrate a quarter-century of work to preserve and protect the Rocky River.

Join in at 9:00am on Saturday June 1st at the Emerald Necklace Marina for a clean-up followed by a volunteer appreciation barbecue (vegetarian options included)!

More Details and Registration Here

(S) 25th Annual Big Creek Cleanup

Sat, Jun 1, 9 a.m. - Noon @ Various Locations (listed below)

Volunteers Needed for 25th Annual Big Creek Watershed Cleanup!

On Saturday, June 1st, 2024, Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District and Big Creek Connects with the support of community stakeholders will host the 25th Annual Big Creek Watershed Cleanup from 9:00am – Noon. Volunteers are needed to help pick up stream side trash and should meet at one of the following locations starting at 8:45am.

Brookfield Park – Brookfield Ave. (between Bellaire and W. 130th)
Brooklyn City Fire Department (8400 Memphis Ave – Brooklyn, OH)
Snow Road Picnic Area along Big Creek Parkway

Bags and work gloves will be provided. Dress for the weather and wear work boots or work shoes. Long sleeves and pants are recommended. Children under 18 must have adult supervision.

Please email nlopez@cuyahogaswcd.org for more information

Cleveland Metroparks | Digital Emerald Necklace*

More (S)upplemental events can be found on our website here.

*WVP volunteers can submit supplemental hours in Volgistics under (S) Watershed Partner Event Contact us if you need assistance reporting any hours.

Recording Hours with WVP

Extras

News

An Animal That Was Extirpated from Northeast Ohio Is Making a Comeback | Watch video here

In Cleveland, Mushrooms Digest Entire Houses: How Fungi Can Be Used to Clean Up Pollution | Read on

Fairview Park Launches a Five-City Task Force in Order to Address Chronic Stormwater Flooding Issues | Read on and watch video here

Mentor Lagoon Trail Closes Due to an Eroding Lake Erie Shoreline | Read on and watch video here

Once Upon a Time, There Was Only One Great Lake……..But It was Larger Than All of the Current Five Great Lakes Combined! | Read on

Lake Agassiz -- Long Gone, But Very Influential in Its Time

Pictured above is how Lake Agassiz appeared while in existence during the last ice age. This bygone waterbody formed prior to the current five Great Lakes and was larger than all of them combined! It played a crucial role in shaping the landscape and climate of North America. Interested in learning more? Come take a natural history ride on the watershed side and click the article directly above.

[Photo Credit: Creative Commons]