Union Pacific and the Fifth Ward Community
Union Pacific is focused on the safety of the Fifth Ward Community and is actively working on remediation at the former Houston Wood Preserving Works site under the guidance of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
We’ve made measurable progress with on-site cleanup since acquiring the property in a 1997 merger and are committed to transparent communication, community engagement and finishing the job.
It is important to note that reports, thus far, show that there is no pathway for the contamination to reach the community.s
Union Pacific Activities in the Fifth Ward
Beginning in September 2023, Union Pacific, in coordination with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is launching a door-to-door campaign to obtain permission to access certain properties surrounding the former HWPW site for soil sampling.
Union Pacific proactively sought EPA involvement following a September 2022 Houston Health Department report citing the need for more soil testing. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, City of Houston, Harris County and Bayou City Initiative reviewed and commented on the testing plan submitted to the EPA, which has final approving authority for all the selected sites for testing.
Testing of the soil samples will determine the source, extent and potential health risks associated with contamination near the former Houston Wood Preserving Works. The soil testing will occur on more than 300 properties and be overseen by the EPA. Soil sampling is a simple and low-intrusive process that does not cause property damage. Testing is the most accepted method to determine the degree of contamination at a location and its potential source.
Union Pacific will make the complete test results available to the public once they have been received from an EPA approved laboratory and validated by scientists and the EPA. The results will also help inform a risk assessment, enabling the EPA to make decisions about any next steps to protect the community
Union Pacific is contacting owners to obtain access agreements so we may test the soil on those properties. Without a signed access agreement, the property cannot be tested. Absentee landlords have been mailed the access agreements and return envelopes. There is no cost to property owners.
Additionally, there will be soil testing at Atherton and Dogan Elementary Schools, nearby parks, Julia C. Hester House, and other places where children frequent.
Testing Timeline
August 2023 – Union Pacific Railroad asks absentee landowners to sign and return access agreements mailed to them, giving the railroad permission to perform testing on their properties.
September 2023 – Union Pacific begins door to door campaign to obtain signed access agreements from Fifth Ward residents. The access agreements must be submitted prior to any testing. This process is ongoing.
November 2023 – Union Pacific and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) begin testing for vapors to determine whether chemicals once used to treat wood railroad ties are evaporating and impacting the air in nearby homes and businesses.
March 2024 – The EPA releases the first round of validated results from vapor testing.
June – October 2024 – Union Pacific and the EPA conduct comprehensive soil sampling and warm weather vapor testing in Fifth Ward.
Date Coming Soon – EPA releases soil testing results.
Early 2025 – The EPA releases a health risk assessment for Fifth Ward residents and determines if additional cleanup is necessary.
