![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
NPL Site Narrative for Burlington Northern Livingston Shop Complex
BURLINGTON NORTHERN LIVINGSTON SHOP COMPLEX
Livingston, Montana
Federal Register Notice: August 23, 1994
Burlington Northern Livingston Shop Complex (BNLSC) is located within the City of Livingston, in Park County, Montana, approximately 100 miles west of Billings. Based on 1990 census data, 6,701 residents live in the City of Livingston. BNLSC encompasses approximately 90 acres and is bordered by Gallatin Street on the north-northwest, Park Street on the south-southwest, 5th Street on the west-southwest, and the Yellowstone River on the northeast. BNLSC and the City of Livingston overlie the Livingston Aquifer, which supplies municipal drinking water to the City.
In 1883, BNLSC was constructed by the Northern Pacific Railroad (NPRR). By the early 1900's, BNLSC had expanded to include a passenger depot, machine shops, a turntable, a roundhouse, and a powerhouse. Both passenger and freight trains were fueled at BNLSC from 1947 until 1986.
NPRR operated BNLSC until March 1970, when ownership and operations were assumed by Burlington Northern Railroad (BNRR). BNRR operated BNLSC until 1986, when the site closed. Portions of BNLSC were purchased/leased by Montana Rail Link (MRL) and the site was reopened in 1987. In 1988, a portion of the facility was purchased by the Livingston Rebuild Center (LRC). BNLSC is currently used for the switching and temporary holding of rail cars by MRL and for locomotive and heavy-equipment rebuilding and maintenance by LRC.
BNLSC operations required the use of chlorinated cleaners, petroleum hydrocarbons, and lubricating oils. Historical waste treatment, storage, and disposal practices have contaminated soils and the Livingston Aquifer. Some of the BNLSC waste sources include: Separator Ponds, the Waste Water Treatment Plant and Sump, the Oil Reclamation Sludge Disposal Area, the Cinder Pile Lagoon, and the Tetrachloroethene (PCE) Vapor Degreaser. Two contaminated ground water plumes underlie BNLSC. One plume, consisting of an estimated 300,000 to 600,000 gallons of petroleum hydrocarbons, primarily resulted from mechanical failure and spills at fuel storage and fueling facilities. The second plume resulted in the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to the underlying Livingston Aquifer from long-term locomotive maintenance operations and wastewater handling and treatment at BNLSC. The VOC plume extends northeast, approximately over 1 mile, from the BNLSC shop complex to the Yellowstone River. Two municipal wells, as well as residential drinking water wells and business drinking water wells, have been closed due to VOC contamination.
Under the direction of the Montana Department of Health and Environmental Sciences (MDHES), the onsite and offsite ground water, subsurface soil, and surface soil conditions have been investigated by BNRR and the EPA, and a Remedial Investigation and Site Inspection have been completed. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has conducted a pancreatic cancer study of the Livingston area and MDHES, in conjunction with ATSDR, has performed a health risk assessment.
From 1988 through 1994, various clean up activities have taken place at BNLSC. MDHES has directed the removal of the petroleum underground storage tanks, piping, and some subsurface and surface contaminated soils. Although clean up has addressed some of the sources of the ground water contamination at the site, the VOC plume has not been addressed. The majority of the sludges, associated with the wastewater disposal practices, were removed to offsite disposal facilities. Numerous soil vapor extraction wells were installed in many VOC contaminated areas. Feasibility Studies are being prepared to address the remaining hazardous substances affecting human health and the environment.
For more information about the hazardous substances identified in this narrative summary, including general information regarding the effects of exposure to these substances on human health, please see the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) ToxFAQs. ATSDR ToxFAQs can be found on the Internet at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html or by telephone at 1-888-42-ATSDR or 1-888-422-8737.