MILES CITY, MT — A train hauling coal derailed approximately 12 miles west of Miles City on Monday, raising concerns about the potential environmental impact on the nearby Yellowstone River. While officials have yet to confirm the extent of any coal spill into the river, environmental experts are already voicing concerns about the risks to the waterway.
The derailment involved 25 train cars, though according to BNSF Railway, none of the cars fell into the river. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the cause of the derailment is still under investigation.
Kayhan Ostovar, director of the Yellowstone River Research Center and a professor of environmental science at Rocky Mountain College, emphasized the serious risks associated with coal spills in aquatic environments. “A car full of coal weighs about 200,000 pounds,” Ostovar explained. “That’s a significant amount of material that could potentially enter the river, causing harm.”
Studies have shown that unburned coal can have detrimental effects on freshwater bodies and marine environments. The primary concern is the coal dust, which can settle on the riverbed, disrupting ecosystems by covering organisms and potentially affecting their reproduction and longevity. Ostovar’s team has spent years researching the Yellowstone River’s health and has conducted regular cleanup efforts to mitigate contamination. The group holds an annual cleanup event on the second Saturday of September, focusing on areas impacted by pollution.
In 2023, the group’s efforts centered around a derailment near Reed Point, where an asphalt spill of approximately 400,000 pounds caused environmental damage. Ostovar noted that while much of the asphalt was recovered, other pollutants, including sulfur and aluminum scrap, were removed in the process. He questioned whether enough was being done to protect the Yellowstone River, a vital natural resource for the local community.
Guy Alsentzer, executive director of Upper Missouri Waterkeeper, echoed Ostovar’s concerns, stressing that coal spills not only degrade water quality but also harm aquatic habitats. “A highly concentrated amount of fugitive dust and coal being dumped into waterways can severely pollute water quality and damage ecosystems,” Alsentzer said. “These spills make it more difficult for our rivers to support life, whether for fishing, swimming, or drinking.”
Alsentzer argued that preventive measures are crucial to avoid such incidents in the future. “We need to take steps not only to clean up the mess but also to address the root cause of these derailments,” he said. “We must invest in better infrastructure and engineering practices to prevent these types of accidents from happening.”
Both Ostovar and Alsentzer agree that this derailment should serve as a wake-up call for the need to better protect the Yellowstone River from industrial spills. As concerns over the potential environmental impact of the coal spill continue to grow, the community is left questioning whether enough is being done to safeguard one of the region’s most iconic natural resources.
