Trial Opens in Landowners’ Lawsuit Against BNSF

GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) — Attorneys representing Livingston landowners in a pollution suit against BNSF Railway Co. are asking jurors to consider whether BNSF acted as a good neighbor during decades of Livingston operations.

A lawsuit brought by 116 individuals, five businesses and the city of Livingston alleges the railway has failed to adequately clean up diesel fuel and toxic solvents it and its predecessors put in Livingston's soil and groundwater during fueling and repair operations.

The Livingston Enterprise reports that in opening arguments Monday, the plaintiffs' attorney Mark Kovacich told jurors the case is about holding BNSF accountable.

The company's attorneys responded that BNSF already has taken accountability and has taken steps to clean up the site.

The trial could last up to three weeks.