RAYMOND, Minn. – A state agency is telling the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad to track groundwater contamination following a derailment earlier this year in west central Minnesota.
The state’s Pollution Control Agency found benzene in groundwater in Raymond after 23 BNSF tanker cars derailed there in March. A spokesperson for the agency said there is no risk to the community because the contaminated water is not being used, but there is some concern locally because the MPCA didn’t notify officials in Raymond about the benzene.
The railroad will monitor the extent of the contamination to determine if there is a risk that the benzene could reach a nearby creek.
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