Union Pacific's Plans to Expand Railroad Track Through Mosier Denied

Environmentalists are celebrating a victory in the fight over oil-train traffic along the Columbia River Gorge.

Wasco County voted on Nov. 2 to tentatively deny a plan by Union Pacific for four miles of new railroad track in Mosier, Ore., the site of a June oil train derailment.

Environmental advocates estimated the expansion could allow railroad to triple the number of trains through the Gorge. The railroad disputed those numbers.

The Wasco County Board of County Commissioners voted to reverse a decision by their planning commission. They expect to finalize the denial next week after the paperwork is corrected.

Among those challenging the initial decision to proceed with the rail expansion was the Yakama Nation.

Their argument that the plan violated their treaty rights helped convince the commissioners to deny the railroads plans.

"So far [the Yakama Nation] have successfully stood up to the largest railroad in the country," says Michael Lang, Conservation Director of Friends of the Columbia Gorge, which was among the groups challenging the railroad's plans.

Rod Runyon, Wasco County Commission Chair, calls the treaty rights "a key component" of the decision to reverse.

Further appeals on the issue are expected.

Update 9:30 pm:

Union Pacific spokesman Justin Jacobs says the extra track will "increase fluidity and efficiency where train traffic is severely 'bottlenecked.'

"Our project aims to reduce the number of idling trains in Mosier, The Dalles, Hood River, and other Gorge communities while mitigating train traffic delays to more efficiently transport the goods American families and businesses use daily," Jacobs adds. "We plan to continue working with the community to understand its concerns and address them moving forward."

Full press release from Friend of Columbia River Gorge:

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