Comment EI-16757
Received or sent (printed as 4/4/2009)
April 3, 2009 Members of the Surface Transportation Board: According to my understanding, the National Environmental Policy Act calls for an Environmental Impact Statement to be issued prior to actions that could lead to adverse effects for residence of Jersey City and sites of historical importance. The potential demolition of the Harsimus Branch Embankment appears to fall into this category. I join the many members of our community and the city in strongly urging that an EIS be authorized at once, as per the requirements of the Policy Act. The reasons are many and include both environmental and personal concerns. Our backyard ends at the embankment. Our home is over 135 years old and we paid good money for it. I find it hard to imagine that having demolition machinery virtually enter our backyard would not have a seriously harmful effect on our property, the foundation of our home, and our peace of mind. That’s to say nothing of the mind-numbing noise generated by all the heavy equipment and demolition – noise that would make it extremely difficult for my husband (a freelance writer) to work. Or the dust and dirt stirred up by the demolition that would aggravate the asthma I’ve been fighting since I was a child. I’d also much prefer to look out our back door and see a more natural environment of vines and greenery rather than the back of some out-of-place townhouses or condominiums. I could certainly add to this list, but I’m sure many others will be expressing their concerns to my own. It’s important for the Surface Transportation Board to recognize these issues and authorize the Environmental Impact Statement in a timely manner. Sincerely, Karen Farquhar 256 Fifth Street Jersey City, NJ 07302
Submitted by: Karen Farquhar · jersey city, NJ
The Board publishes this comment in its environmental-comment table for this proceeding. It is quoted here as printed; nothing is inferred from it, and it states the commenter's own position in their own words, not this record's.
Permanent address docketyard.org/d/AB-167/sub/1189X/comment/EI-16757 · back to the docket sheet