BNSF News

Ross Thomas honored as John H. Chafee Environmental Excellence Award nominee

2013-08-08

Ross Thomas, manager, Engineering, was honored recently in Washington, D.C., as a nominee for the John H. Chafee Environmental Excellence Award, which is sponsored by the Association of American Railroads.

The Chafee Award honors extraordinary environmental accomplishments of individuals in the rail industry during the previous year. Named after the late senator from Rhode Island - a strong advocate for conservation, environmental causes, and who appreciated the environmental advantages of rail transportation - the Chafee Award is presented to a non-environmental railroad employee. All the nominees selected by the railroad industry demonstrate the highest levels of environmental stewardship.

Thomas, a 31-year BNSF employee, was nominated for his achievements in protecting and preserving the environment during construction and renovation at a number of BNSF facilities. Most recently, Thomas was responsible for on-site construction management at the Logistics Park Kansas City facility in Edgerton, Kansas. He has also been responsible for other engineering and expansion projects, such as expansions at BNSF's Kansas City, Kan., Automotive Facility; Memphis Intermodal Facility; Logistics Park Alliance in Fort Worth, Texas; and the Belen Fueling Facility in Belen, N.M.

"Ross shows his commitment to the environment in every project he is involved with," said Mike Stanfill, director, Environmental Permitting. "Ross has always kept environmental performance high on the priority list and addresses environmental issues as they arise while also working to maintain efficient production schedules."

"Ross was instrumental in the construction of a conservation corridor of about 62 acres at Logistic Park Kansas City. This corridor is currently being used as a model for other corridors across the country," said John Cech, assistant vice president, Engineering Services. "This project consisted of relocating ponds, plugging and abandonment of oil and water wells in the area. Ross worked with the appropriate entities to ensure proper relocation and construction of new wetlands. Construction of the Conservation Corridor consisted of the relocation of approximately 8,200 linear feet of the stream to allow for construction of a new intermodal facility."

Prior to construction of both the yard and the corridor, a survey was undertaken for nesting birds to ensure no work that would disturb any nests that may have been found. The corridor included 30 acres of wetland planting and 25 acres of stream plantings, both consisting of 15,000 live willows, 16,400 trees and shrubs, 140,000 live branches planted, removal of all noxious invasive weeds and replanting of natural grasses within the entire corridor. Numerous erosion control measures were installed, including gabion baskets, detention ponds and stop log structures, all in an effort to create the new wetlands.

"Much of Ross' career has included projects just like this," Stanfill said.

Thomas is a graduate of the University of Southern Colorado with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering.

About the photo: Ross Thomas is pictured with his wife, Marie, at the ceremony honoring Chafee nominees.

BNSF Headquarters

BNSF Railway Company
2650 Lou Menk Dr. 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 961057
Fort Worth, TX 76161-0057
Phone: (817) 352-1000

For more information on the company and its transportation solutions, visit the BNSF Web site at www.bnsf.com