Attorney General's News Release

April 22, 1998

Napalm train points out need for public to be informed about shipments of dangerous cargo, Nixon says

Jefferson City, Mo. — Missouri officials and citizens have a need and a right to know about shipments of dangerous cargo that go through the state, Attorney General Jay Nixon said today in an Earth Day speech to the Missouri Coalition for the Environment.

Nixon said the train carrying 12,000 gallons of napalm that was destined from a U.S. Navy ordnance facility in California through Missouri to an Indiana facility demonstrated the problem of limited or no notification to the public, particularly by the Department of Defense.

"Although this train has turned back, it does not excuse the Navy from failing to comply with applicable federal and state environmental laws, which would have required public participation in the process," Nixon said. "State and local emergency officials need to know about shipments of hazardous cargo that move through our state so they can be prepared in the event of an emergency."

Nixon communicated his concerns about the napalm train specifically and dangerous cargo shipments in general last week in a letter to Secretary of the Navy John Dalton. Nixon told Dalton his office may take legal action if it finds that the Navy violates federal or state laws with its shipments.

"The protection of our environment requires appropriate laws and aggressive law enforcement," Nixon told coalition members. "On this Earth Day, we must renew our commitment to the fight."

Nixon also renewed his call for the corporate farm industry to adopt a "good neighbor policy" in regard to odor and pollution.

"The megafarm industry needs to take into account how it impacts the quality of life of its neighbors," Nixon said. "When the odors from these facilities that contain several thousand animals are so strong that they drive their neighbors indoors year-round, this is a serious problem they must address and correct."

Nixon has called on the Missouri Air Conservation Commission to implement odor standards for the 20 largest megafarms in the state.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818