Ecosystem Impacts of Increased Coal Transport Across the Northwest Region USGS NW Region Robert Black (Washington Water Science Center, Tacoma, WA) Elena Nilsen (Oregon Water Science Center, Portland, OR) Collin Eagles-Smith (Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, OR)

Is Coal Transport a Potential Environmental Concern? – Very little data/information – In 2007 finding related to transport of coal by rail from MT and WY to western WA, Army Corps determined that transport of coal could be harmful aquatic resources – Coal dust / spills – Recent study in WA

Recent Data Suggests Coal Dust Along Existing Washington Rail Line Jaffe et al. 2014

Environmental Impact Statement 2 Lead Agencies: Army Corps and State/County – Corps: scope is limited to area around terminals and meets NEPA regulations – State/County scope is focused around terminal for Bellingham site, but also hopes to perform “detailed assessment of rail transportation on other representative communities in Washington and a general analysis of out- of-state rail impacts”. This meets SEPA regulations – State/County scope for Longview site not developed – Letter from Director of Washington Department of Ecology to U.S. Department of Transportation and U.S. Surface Transportation Board has specifically asked these groups to conduct assessments of the effects of coal on the environment along rail lines.

Public Interest in Coal Transport and Export Washington and Oregon - Scoping process for permitting of transfer terminals has produced ~400,000 specific comments. Idaho – “Coal Exports Pack a Big Carbon Punch” Idaho – “Coal Trains Threaten Environment and Public Health” Montana - “Surface Transportation Board: BNSF can require coal-dust suppression” Montana- “Groups rally for Montana inclusion in Army Corps' environmental assessment” Numerous public meetings and rallies throughout the region

Currently Unanswered Questions Are there measurable levels of coal transport related chemicals along rail corridors in water, soil/sediment, and/or biota and do they change in relations to there location to the rail lines? What is spatial pattern of contamination along proposed route(s)? What are most vulnerable areas? – Wetlands, parks, ESA, GW/drinking water, population What are mechanisms of transfer, accumulation, persistence of contaminants in environment and food web?

Currently Unanswered Questions (cont.) How might future traffic or spills influence concentrations / distribution of contaminants? What is influence of hydrodynamic/sediment transport processes in distributing contaminants in riverine and coastal environments? What is influence of climate/land use change on hydrology/sediment transport on contaminant impact pathways?

Is Coal Transport an Environmental Concern? Potential Environmental Contaminants Associated with Coal – PAHs (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) – Mercury – Chromium – Selenium – Lead – Arsenic Nervous system damage, impaired reproduction, cardiovascular issues, urinary tract and lung cancers Coal dust during transport – Each train car can loose up to 500 pounds of coal dust – 120 cars per train – ~60,000 lbs of coal dust lost per train – times increase in coal train traffic

Aquatic Resources Adjacent to Rail Lines Wetlands Public Lands Wetlands Provisional Wetlands Public Lands

Exposure of Aquatic Resources to Coal Transport

Proposed Coal Terminals, Rail Lines and National Wildlife Refuges 53 mil Tons ~8 mil Tons 49 mil Tons 5 mil Tons Horsethief SP

Questions and Methods Are there measurable levels of coal transport related chemicals along rail corridors in water, soil/sediment and/or biota and do they change in relations to there location to the rail lines? – Soil/sediment – Biota (Fish and insects) Established methods-focus on Hg and PAH Levels of concern (chronic vs. acute) for targeted contaminants Hg source fingerprinting (Hg stable isotopes) PAH from dust vs. combustion (forensic ratios)

Study Design Current Coal Rail Line Coal Loading Coal Terminal (Canada) Wetland/lake Sample Point : Sediment Tissue (insects, fish) Columbia River Horsethief Steigerwald Methods -Focus on Hg and PAH -Levels of suspected concern -Hg source fingerprinting (Hg stable isotopes) -PAH from dust vs. combustion (forensic ratios)

Methylmercury is produced by some bacterial groups found in the environment… Inorganic Hg SO 4 /Fe-reducing Bacteria Methyl Hg How Is Methylmercury Created?

PAH Isomer Ratios Kumar et al. (2012)

Fish Sediment Inverts Fish Sediment Inverts Horsethief Lake Sampling Locations

Fish Sediment Inverts Fish Sediment Inverts Steigerwald Refuge Sampling Locations

Sediment Sampling Target: Fine sediment (silt)

Invertebrate Sampling Target: Dragonfly Damselfly

Fish Sampling Target: Insect eating fish -Trout -Bass -Pumpkinseed

Project Status Field work complete Samples have been sent to their respective labs USGS National Water Quality Lab Krabbenhoft mercury lab USGS-FRESC Corvallis NOAA

Conclusion Current study is a pilot study Approach and methods development Not intended to be definitive Future work being pursued: Location and extent of vulnerable aquatic resources due to dust AND potential spills (aquifers, drinking water, ecosystems) Hydrologic transport mechanisms Spatial factors that may influence potential impacts Weather Point along rail corridor Train speed Ecological impacts Transfer, accumulation, persistence of contaminants in environment and food web Ecological health

Continued Outreach and Collaboration NOAA All States – WA Department of Ecology US Fish and Wildlife Service University of Washington - Bothel Tribes Army Corps US Department of Transportation Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission Columbia River Toxics Reduction Strategy Workgroup