1 June 2008
CPR to Fine Grain Handlers for Sloppy Loading
As part of a wildlife protection initiative, Canadian Pacific
Railway plans to fine grain handling companies who spill grain on the end sills of rail hopper cars during loading.
The railway announced Friday that starting 7 Jul 2008, customers who identify and clean up spilled grain on the end sills
of cars will benefit from an "incentive-based" tariff, while those who don't clean up get "punitive
charges."
Mindful of spilled grain attracting wildlife along CPR's track network, CPR announced it would take "further steps" to clean
the exterior end sills of 3,000 grain hopper cars, increasing the use of its grain vacuum trucks.
More than 2,000 cars have been cleaned to date, CPR said, with the remainder of the cleaning planned in Calgary, Saskatoon, and Moose
Jaw between now and September. CPR said it will spend $125,000 to complete the work.
CPR CEO Fred Green said the new program shows the company's respect for the needs of communities, including the national parks through
which CPR trains travel.
The cleaning program will include a communications plan, endorsed by Parks Canada, aimed at educating customers about the benefits to
the environment and wildlife protection, the company said.
Viterra, the grain company responsible for up to 45 percent of Canada's grain shipments, said in CPR's release that it supports CPR's
car-cleaning initiative.
"This is a meaningful action that will help protect these magnificent animals and Banff National Park for future
generations," said Ron Hallman, executive director of mountain parks for Parks Canada, also in CPR's release. "Parks Canada
welcomes Canadian Pacific's initiative in working to reduce the presence of animal attractants such as grain along their
tracks."
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