Union Pacific Railroad Settles Seattle Water Pollution Lawsuit

Union Pacific Railroad Co. agreed to pay $75,000 for water quality improvement projects and to complete a storm water pollution prevention review for its Seattle facility that allegedly releases high levels of oil, copper, and other pollutants, according to a filing in a Washington federal court.

Puget Soundkeeper Alliance told the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington that the releases violate the company’s Industrial Stormwater General Permit issued under the Clean Water Act. These violations were avoidable had the company been “diligent in overseeing facility operations and maintenance,” the lawsuit said.

The company’s Argo Yard facility releases ...