伊利諾州環保局局長史考特（Dough Scott）要求州檢察署，針對加拿大國鐵/伊利諾中部鐵路公司最近的火車出軌事件採取司法行動。該事件導致大量乙醇外泄，引起大火並污染伊州一帶水域。
美國伊利諾州岩石河上的死魚。圖片攝於2009年6月，W.J. Manon 攝。
意外中外漏的乙醇，很可能是造成伊利諾州歷來最大魚類死亡事件之一的元兇。
2009年6月19日，114節車廂的加拿大國鐵列車從自由港（Freeport）往西行到芝加哥途中，有14節車廂（每節車廂各載著3萬加侖含95-97%乙醇和3-5%汽油的混合液），因故出軌翻覆。其中12節出軌的車廂起火燃燒。伊州環保局表示，列車所載運的汽油大多在大火中付之一炬，約損失360萬加侖之譜。
猛烈的火勢造成一名司機死亡， 9人送醫。另外意外現場周圍半英里地區内約600住戶，惟恐後續的汽油噴發、爆炸、燃燒等原因，基於安全考量而予以撤離疏散。
接下來在6月21日美國父親節當天，伊州自然資源部（IDNR）岩石河（Rock River）管區，發現一大量魚類死亡案件。該部門認為魚類死亡與發生在羅克福德（Rockford）的乙醇洩漏意外有關，儘管迄今此種説法並沒有得到證實。
根據調查得到的初步估計，死亡的7萬2千多條魚，價值達27萬2千美元。生物學家估計其中死亡的供垂釣魚近3萬7千條，包括了鯰魚、鱸魚、鼓眼魚。而死亡的商業捕魚則有3萬4千條。甚至連水牛和鯉魚也難逃一死。
伊州環保局已要求州總檢察長，向加拿大國鐵提出死魚採樣請求，以確定魚類死亡是否歸咎于乙醇外泄。該部門還說，鐵路公司也應準備提交補充岩石河與克史沃克（Kishwaukee）河魚苗的計劃。
此外，環保局還表示，加拿大國鐵應對該地區社區供水和私人水井進行徹底的調查，安排水井抽樣檢查。甚至有必要的話，提供替代飲用水。
最後，環保局希望鐵路公司對所有遭破壞的環境加以補救。並且對於脫軌所造成的財產損壞，進行必要維修。
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Doug Scott has asked the Illinois Attorney General's office to proceed with enforcement action against the Canadian National/Illinois Central Railroad, as a result of a recent train derailment which resulted in a large ethanol release causing fires and contamination of state waters.
The spilled ethanol is suspected as the cause of one of the largest fish kill events in Illinois history.
On June 19, 2009, a 114 car Canadian National train was traveling east from Freeport to Chicago when 14 tank cars, each containing 30,000 gallons of a mixture of 95-97 percent ethanol and 3-5 percent gasoline, derailed.
Twelve of the derailed cars caught on fire, and the Illinois EPA said the majority of these cars' contents, about 360,000 gallons, were consumed in the blaze.
The intense fire caused the death of one motorist and sent nine others to hospital. About 600 homes in the surrounding half mile area were evacuated out of a concern for potential vapor releases, explosions and fire.
On June 21, Father's Day, a fish kill was identified by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on the Rock River. The IDNR believes that the fish kill is related to the ethanol spill that originated in Rockford, although to date this has not been confirmed.
The investigation yielded a preliminary estimate of over 72,000 fish killed with an associated value of over $272,000. Biologists estimate nearly 37,000 game fish were killed, including catfish, smallmouth bass and walleye. They estimated that over 34,000 commercial fish, including buffalo and carp, also were killed.
The Illinois EPA has requested the Illinois Attorney General to require that Canadian National conduct sampling of dead fish to conclusively determine whether or not the fish kill was attributable to the release of ethanol. The railroad should also prepare and submit an aquatic restocking plan for the Rock River and the Kishwaukee River, says the state agency.
In addition, said the state agency, Canadian National should conduct a well survey of community water supply and private wells in the area, arrange for sampling of these wells and, if needed, provide an alternative source of drinking water.
Finally, the Illinois EPA wants the railroad company to remedy any environmental damage and perform all necessary repairs to property damaged by the derailment.
作者
In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
