Train Incident Seabird Island

Disclaimer:

• Information provided is based on reports received by Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR)
• Information provided is considered to be current at the time of posting, but is subject to change

Incident description

Incident Date	March 1, 2024
Name	DGIR: 240958
Source	Train incident
Nearest Community	Agassiz, B.C.
Spilled Content	Diesel
Who is involved	Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (ENV), Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR), Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Rail, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), First Nation Health Authority (FNHA), Transport Canada, RCMP, VIA Rail, Emergency Planning Secretariat, Seabird Island Band

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Response phase details

The responsible person or spiller is legally required to clean-up or manage the clean-up of a spill.

In incidents where the responsible person is unknown, unable or unwilling to manage the cleanup, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (ENV) may assume the role. 

The updates below reflect the ministry’s oversight of the spillers’ actions. Details describe the spill response phase only and not the complete lifecycle of the spill. Visit the 'More information' page for other reports. 

Updates are in reverse chronological order with the most recent at the top.

Industry-specific language may be explained in the Glossary of Terms (PDF, 106KB).

Most recent updates

March 13

A coordination call was held with representatives from CPKC Rail, Seabird Island Band, Transport Canada, FNHA, ISC, EMCR, and ENV.

Additional water samples were collected at residences potentially impacted by the incident. Diesel was not detected in the results.

Groundwater sampling was completed at the installed monitoring wells and the results were received. Diesel was not detected in the results. Additional groundwater sampling is scheduled. The results are expected March 19.

The results of groundwater flow assessment were received. It determined the groundwater in the area flows away from the residences that were sampled.

FNHA has continued drinking water restrictions in the impacted area.

An Environmental Emergency Response Officer (EERO) continues to monitor the situation.

Further updates will be made once more information becomes available.

March 8

A coordination call was held with representatives from CPKC Rail, Seabird Island Band, Transport Canada, FNHA, ISC, EMCR, and ENV.

The test results of the residential well samples were received. Diesel was not detected in the results.

Groundwater monitoring wells were installed.

FNHA has continued drinking water restrictions in the impacted area. An assessment of the groundwater flow is expected as early as March 11.

March 5

A coordination call was held with representatives from CPKC Rail, Seabird Island Band, Transport Canada, FNHA, ISC, EMCR, and ENV.

Representatives from FNHA, Seabird Island Band, CPKC Rail’s response contractors conducted residential well sampling at all potentially impacted residences. Test results are expected March 7.

Groundwater monitoring well installation began today.

The estimated amount of diesel released was updated to 4300 liters.

March 3

A coordination call was held with representatives from CPKC Rail, Seabird Island Band, Transport Canda, FNHA, EMCR, and ENV.

A well water sampling plan was drafted. A plan for installing monitoring wells was also drafted. Equipment to install monitoring wells is expected to be onsite mid-week.

None of the spilled material has collected in the bell holes dug on March 1.

A Seabird Island community meeting was held and representatives from CPKC Rail, CPKC Rail’s response contractors, FNHA, Transport Canada, EMCR, and ENV.

FNHA and CPKC Rail are coordinating sampling and are working with representatives from Seabird Island Band.

March 2

The amount of diesel spilled was updated to an estimated 2500 liters.

A Provincial EERO attended the site.

A coordination call was held with representatives from CPKC Rail, Seabird Island Band, Transport Canada, FNHA, EMCR, ENV, and Emergency Planning Secretariat.

March 1

A VIA Rail train hit debris on the track on Seabird Island near Agassiz, BC. An initial estimate of 6000 liters of diesel spilled. The spilled material released onto the ground beneath the tracks.

The collision did not cause any rail cars to derail.

No impacted waterways have been identified. Groundwater drinking water wells near the incident site were identified for potential impacts.

CPKC Rail retained contractors for response and remediation. Groundwater sampling and monitoring plans are being developed. Bell holes were dug near the incident site to support the recovery of the spilled material.

FNHA is undertaking well water sampling at residences potentially impacted by the spilled material.