Cornstalks sprout along Capital Trail canal after CSX train derailment
RICHMOND, Va. — Cornstalks have sprouted along the bank of the canal on the Capital Trail, a visible reminder of a CSX train derailment that sent grain spilling into the water in July.The derailment involved three CSX cars carrying grain that left the tracks above the Capital Trail. No one was injured, but cleanup crews spent the following days removing the cars from the canal.On Wednesday, a CSX spokesperson said the derailment was caused by a heat-induced track misalignment and that the rail has since been adjusted to correct the condition.Penelope Gorman, the Executive Director of Friends of the James River Park, said the cornstalk growth does not pose much of a threat."The corn stalks that we're seeing along the canal, corn is not a recognized invasive species anywhere in the United States, and our best guess is that it'll just die off."However, Gorman said the grain spill itself has already had consequences for the waterway."The spill into the canal directly has already resulted in a fish die-off. The city has not yet responded.
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Scoop News DeskRichmond, Virginia · Published Updated
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She also reached out to the James River Association who shared this statement. She said elevated nutrients can lead to low oxygen conditions, creating what is known as a dead zone for fish and other wildlife.When it comes to the geese, Gorman recommends staying away from them and advises people not to feed them.CBS 6 Kelsey Jones reached out to the city to learn whether officials plan to remove the cornstalks or leave them in place.
