Comment EI-17358
Received or sent (printed as 4/7/2009)
The Harsimus Stem, better known as the Embankment", was reviewed by the the SEA of the STB and issued a preliminary EA that does a grave injustice to this community of Jersey City, as a full Environmental Impact Statement is due and has in fact been called for by many local, Jersey City Municipal Government, Hudson County and NJ State Organizations as well. Even the NJ State Historic Preservation Office has called for a full EIS and listed the Embankment as one of the major NJ Historical Sites of Preservation endangered in NJ. I have lived in downtown Jersey City for over 25 years, and during that time the Embankment has meant much to everyone here for it's historic, and potential for a National connection with the Greenway Alliance that provides over 3,000+ miles from Maine to Florida available as both a walk, bike and open space park for not just the local community, but for NJ State and regional significance as well. None of that can be done by the demolition of this site due to not doing a full EIS. Just a few reasons there is need for a Full EIS,please consider the following: *Abandonment of Embankment-this will lead directly to demolition (Conrail and partnerS are seeking permits now) *Effects of demolition of massive structure (The Embankment) on *air quality-The Embankment sits midway between many Federal Historic District Neighborhoods including Harsimus Cove (where I live) and Hamilton Park. Demolition of the Embankment will impact these neighborhoods drastically as demolition will expose all to toxins at site that will become airborne. *dust-The amount of dust raised by demolition and then become airborned will affect the entire neighborhoods, not just Embankment, and is another reason for a full EIS! *noise-Demoliton will require excess neiborhood noise *vibrations-Demolition will cause many vibrations affecting neighborhoods homes and peace of mind. *heavy truck traffic through fragile historic districts-This will be very dramatic if allowed caused by site building on Embankment *damage to buildings on two sides for one-half mile-Many homes will be damaged due to demoliton of the Embankment *removal of a cultural resource-There is a 150 year history of the building not only of America's Industrial Revolution starting here in Jersey City and the Harsimus Stem of the Embankment contributed to this early part of US History. *health-Suits may arrive out of the issuing of a Demolition permit as caused by not doing a full EIS. Demoliton would cause many health problems to those with compromised lungs, heart, nasal and neurological damage caused by demolition as a result of not doing a full EIS *flooding (no half-mile of fill to absorb stormwater in flood plain)-It has been esitmated by the MUA, that it would take $150M+ to accomodate new infrastructure repairs to improve downtown flooding. The Embankment provides a major berm absorbing excess stormwater. *water quality-There could be an increased burden on combined sewers and the release of CSOs into Hudson Estuary impacting fish, wildlife) *release of contaminants-Demoliton of the Embankment could release toxins buried underneath and allowed to escape and impact both health and quality of life in downtown neighborhoods. *habitat destruction-We have seen that the Embankment provides habitat for migratory birds, monarch butterflies, rabbits, possums, herons, and many local flora and fauna. *ecosystem-The Embankment is part of habitat corridor joining Hudson to Hackensack, a greater ecosystem than just our neighborhoods. *cultural loss-Holy Rosary has a very historic festival and Italian community, that demolition of the Embankment would impact negatively. (loss of grade-separated transportation-The Embankment structure is ideal for urban area’s heavy traffic and the Mayor of Jersey City, along with City Council support using this established rail corridor structure for lite or Bus transit which would be lost by demoliton. *loss of light rail-The Embankment is a site for potential linking Secaucus to Hudson waterfront, which would be lost if Embankment is demolished *loss of light freight opportunities-With the increase of petroleum, rail frieight has become a cheaper way to deliver goods, all lost if Embankment destroyed. *Failure of Conrail’s developer partner-By not submiting environmental sampling study to STB, relative to the Embankment, Conrail and partner jeopardize and impact the Environment without a full EIS! The above are a few reasons for why a full EIS is called for but there is also the need for your federal agency to enforce federal laws rather than burdening local governments and citizens with the lack of follow-through and due diligence required in this matter. I refer you to Mr. Montaigne's brief and comments for more judicious reasons for doing a full EIS, but in the 25+ years I've lived here, the Embankment is most important of what bridges a historical structure that if not demolished, can provide more than condos, but open space and part of a National Greenway that would make all of NJ proud. I therefore beseech the SEA request that a full Environmental Impact Statement be required and that no work shall be approved without such an EIS. Thank you for your time."
Submitted by: Dale Hardman
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.
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