Marion County Won't Allow the Railroad Tie Shredding Operation!

Removal of the Massive Stockpile of Creosote Ties Has Begun!!

Thank you for making your opposition known and helping to protect our cherished Rainbow River!

Last fall our community learned of a major project to grind hundreds of thousands of retired, creosote-soaked railroad ties into pulp fuel right here in the Dunnellon/Chatmire area — just half a mile from the Rainbow River, Blue Cove, and Blue Cove Lake.

The toxic, creosote-laden ties had already been dumped on unprotected ground, threatening to leach harmful chemicals into our aquifer, environment, and community. The massive stockpile of ties runs north/south along Hwy 41 and borders residential areas in Chatmire and the City of Dunnellon, and businesses along the east side of Hwy 41.

Even without the shredding operation, the stockpile itself is a potential environmental disaster in the making. The Rainbow, Dunnellon, and Chatmire communities stand united in opposition to this project and the stockpiled ties, and have mobilized to protect our river, our town, our homes, and our health. The longer the ties and the contaminated soil beneath them remain, the more harm is done to our communities and the Rainbow River.

Check out our Toxic Ties page for the most recent status information, as well as a complete history from the beginning.

*Video and aerial photos courtesy of Flying High In Florida; No Ties to Toxins graphic courtesy of Linda W Photography