SEATTLE — BNSF Railway has agreed to address issues with coal and petroleum coke dust from open hoppers by studying ways to cover the freight cars, the Seattle Times reports.

The agreement follows a lawsuit between a group of environmental groups in the Pacific Northwest and the railroad. The organizations allege that coal particles coming from the open hoppers can spread mercury, arsenic, and other potentially toxic elements into waterways near railroad rights-of-way.

As part of the settlement, the railroad will also pay $1 million to finance environmental projects throughout Washington State, including water-related projects in the Columbia River Gorge and Spokane River areas.

The newspaper cites a railroad representatives who says the settlement is small compared with initial lawsuits that requested trillions of dollars.