EPA fines Arkansas railroad $910,000-plus for storing hazardous chemicals near Hot Springs neighborhoods

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – An Arkansas short-line railroad had to pay a significant fine after an Environmental Protection Agency investigation into its handling and storage of a dangerous chemical.

According to an EPA spokesperson, the Arkansas Midland Railroad stored 750,000 gallons of the hazardous material o-chlorotoluene in 34 unsecured and unsupervised railroad cars in Hot Springs along Spring Street for over two years. The agency fined the railroad $910,985 for the violation.

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Officials said the o-chlorotoluene and is listed as hazardous waste material for its flammable and toxic properties. EPA officials said the chemicals have since been moved to an appropriate disposal facility. No evidence of leaks or exposure of the chemical were found, officials said.

EPA officials said Arkansas state officials discovered the chemical while investigating another facility. When the o-chlorotoluene was discovered, officials said its investigation was turned over to the EPA.

“Residents of Hot Springs or any community should not have to live with the threat of toxic material just steps from their homes and schools,” EPA Regional Administrator Earthea Nance said.

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The Malvern-based Arkansas Midland Railroad operates 140 miles of track in the state, according to its website. It is one of the 115 freight railroads owned by Genesee & Wyoming Inc., which is based out of Connecticut.

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