EAST PALESTINE — According to Norfolk Southern, efforts to clean-up and restore the site of the 2023 train derailment and chemical release wrapped up recently.

The announcement came without fanfare. It was not reported in a press release or press conference but rather in a brief update to nsmakingitright.com – the website set up to keep the community informed in the wake of the rail disaster – last week.

“Site restoration activities are complete, and the associated particulate air monitoring has concluded in accordance with approved plans,” the update stated. “Demobilization of equipment and work trailers continues, and efforts will be made to not interfere with village traffic.”

The update also seemingly declared remediation of the waterways a success.

“The final stream sheen assessment, including sediment sampling, is complete for both Leslie and Sulphur Runs,” the website reported. “The results of this final sheen assessment indicate achievement of the work plan goals with no apparent derailment related sheens remaining on either stream. The details for previously completed mitigation activities, and the results of final stream sheen assessment and sediment sampling are being compiled and will be reported to EPA in the coming weeks.”

The update reiterated that “data from the March/April 2025 stream reassessment were reported to EPA on June 20 and that “no human health risks related to the derailment were identified in surface water in the two previous assessments performed in 2024.”

Monitoring of surface water, groundwater, sediments, and drinking water will continue as will unspecified work in the east the derailment site where derailment-related chemicals were detected earlier this year. Nsmakingitright.com said “activities in the East End will continue per the schedules defined in the associated work plans.”

All told, the website reports that 74 million gallons of water was recovered and transported off site along with 240,346 tons of contaminated soil with 5,200 feet of impacted waterways flushed and 2,028 drinking water wells sampled.

selverd@mojonews.com