By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

GARYVILLE — An off-track railroad car in Garyville did not pose any negative environmental impacts, according to a Department of Environmental Quality investigation.

Concerned residents in Garyville said they called several state agencies, including the State Police and the DEQ, the week of Aug. 10 when they saw several rail cars situated off of the train tracks near Little Hope Street in Garyville.

DEQ Lead Investigator Malcolm Andry, who visited Garyville on Aug. 15, submitted his final report Thursday to DEQ officials.

Andry reported when he visited the site, he observed a contractor for Canadian National Railroad preparing one steel tank car for transportation to a scrap metal site in Mississippi.

“The wheels, outside shell and foam insulation had been removed at the time of the investigation,” Andry wrote. “There were no odors, leaks or spills noted at the time of the investigation.”

Concerned residents said when insulation was being removed from the container, some of the insulation caught on fire. DEQ Press Secretary Greg Langley said the contractor echoed that report to the DEQ official.

Andry said Charles Bolton, the contractor supervisor for the project, told him the car was emptied prior to being moved to the current location. According to the report, Bolton told Andry the car had not derailed as alleged.

“Bolton anticipated that the tank car would (be) loaded onto an 18-wheeler for transportation to the scarp yard by late afternoon,” Andry wrote.

According to residents who live in the area, the cars have been moved from the site.

“Based on observations, the anonymous complaint will be closed,” Andry wrote.

Langley said the investigation was focused on any possible environmental impact. He said if any negative environmental impacts been found, another agency would have been brought in to investigate health concerns.