Representatives of the Sierra Club and other conservation groups have wanred that are planning to file lawsuit against the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad and other mining firms for allegedly violating the Clean Water Act.

They claim that coal and coal dust spilled from railroad carriages are polluting the Columbia River Gorge and threatened the railway operator and mining firms to the court if spills are not addressed. Columbia Riverkeeper and Friends of the Columbia Gorge have also joined others in the effort to sue the companies. The groups at using a clause in the Clean Water Act, which states that a lawsuit can be filed against polluters if the problems is not addressed within 60 days, to sue the firms.

The group members claimed that each train leaves about 10,000 pounds of loose coal in the gorge. They also pointed out that the coal contains heavy metals and other harmful chemicals, which affects the environment of the area. They said there has not been much analysis of the issue and the environment impact is not determined.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe has responded by saying in a statement that it is committed to preventing coal dust from falling to Gorge while in transit. The company has also called upon other parties to the suit to help control the flow of coal safely on its tracks.