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Burlington Northern Santa Fe recently agreed to pay more than $450,000 to the New Mexico Office of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to settle a joint state and federal suit regarding hazardous-material releases from BNSF's yard near Clovis, N.M., more than 20 years ago. The agreement still must be approved by a federal judge.

New Mexico and the U.S. agency will use settlement proceeds to plan, acquire and improve wetlands to repair environmental damage, according to a prepared statement.

Between the 1950s and 1970s, BNSF refueled and washed hopper cars at the yard. The state and federal government alleged that hazardous materials were released into Santa Fe Lake — now owned by BNSF — harming fish and wildlife.

During the past few years, the railroad has completed lake-cleaning remedial work, such as building a dike, excavating and treating lake sediments, and using a spray system to evaporate lake water.

"The additional BNSF investment will enhance the environmental progress we have already made at Santa Fe Lake," said Rob Werner, BNSF manager of environmental remediation.