Comment EI-19433
Received or sent (printed as 1/6/2013)
I am deeply concerned about the potential impact on public health and the environment from the various proposals to transport coal from Montana and Wyoming to terminals on the Pacific Coast for export to Asia. The proposal to build a coal-hauling railroad line through the Tongue River Valley seems especially misguided for two main reasons: 1) it would have negative impacts on the residents, the quality of life, and the environment in the Tongue River Valley; and 2) it would contribute to similar negative impacts for the residents, the quality of life, and the environment in the Pacific Northwest in general. Regarding the Tongue River Valley rail proposal my concerns are as follows: Public convenience and necessity: This proposed railroad is not for the “public convenience and necessity” which is what is required in order for a body to get the power of eminent domain and condemnation authority. This railroad would serve only one coal company giant, Arch Coal, which intends to sell the coal to China and other Asian countries. Impacts on property values: The project would devalue property and infringes on property rights. This railroad will cause fires, spread weeds, devalue property (especially riverfront property), will make ranching and farming more difficult and expensive, will split ranch land in half and separate fields from the river and will shift the liability of train crossings to the landowner. Wildlife: The Tongue River Valley is rich in wildlife habitat and home to outstanding elk and mule deer populations as well as upland birds. Industrializing this valley with a railroad and the coal strip mine it serves will seriously degrade this excellent sportsman resource. Flooding: The railroad bed will act as an earthen dam and potentially worsen the flooding problems now experienced in Miles City in the winter with ice jams. Noise: The loud trains will ruin the quiet enjoyment of nearby recreation areas near Miles City. Infrastructure and traffic: Taxes will go up for residents communities along the rail lines as the coal heads to coastal ports for shipment. This railroad will increase coal train traffic substantially causing traffic delays, noise, and diesel pollution. The only way to live with this increased traffic will require expensive over passes and safety crossing which are paid for primarily by local taxpayers. Because it is part of a larger project to export coal from the US to Asia through ports on the Pacific coast, the proposed Tongue River Valley railroad would have much more extensive impacts. I believe that a responsible EIS will take these impacts into account. My name is Lynne Oulman and I live in Bellingham Washington. Though a NW resident most of my life, I moved to Bellingham several years ago because of its clean air, beautiful Salish Sea, peaceful surroundings and its commitment to sustainable, respectful living. I am writing to ask you to study the impact of both coal dust and diesel particulate from not only trains and terminal sites, but from ships, locomotives and any other service vehicles needed to operate a coal terminal. Simply, these residues, diesel particulate and coal dust, will determine whether or not I can remain in my retirement home as I have compromised lungs. It is already known from studies of the Spokane rail yard that cancer rates increase in the proximity of diesel particulate. This has been proven the case in other similar studies. We also know that coal dust causes black lung and other respiratory disorders. We know that increases of both coal dust and diesel particulate will increase the rates of asthma in children and will adversely impact the elderly, such as myself. I want you to carefully study the situation here in Bellingham. On “South Hill” not only does the excruciating train noise float uphill, but so does the dust and diesel particulate. I already see some of these residues on my sills inside my house! In addition, I ask that you study these residues in all seasons and in various weather conditions, during the day and at night. We, the residents and taxpayers, already know there is fluctuation, but we need honest research to tell us the actual impact. We need to know if daily walks will be unhealthy (long term impact), will I experience more illness (cumulative over time); will our wildlife suffer from the pollution (canary in the cage!)? This cannot be a band-aid job like filter cigarettes were for tobacco. We need you to be scrupulously careful because people’s lives depend on your integrity. While I need to find out about these particular impacts in order to make personal life choices, I must add that similar impacts will be experienced by all living near the rail road from Powder River to Cherry Point. This dust and particulate must not be swept under the “proverbial rug,” because its consequences are deadly. I must trust you to study coal dust and diesel particulate air pollution with exacting science, remembering that your diligence will impact the health of our community – human and otherwise - as well as all the communities along the tracks, and around the 80 acre pile. Thank you for your attention. Most Sincerely, Lynne Oulman
Submitted by: Lynne Oulman · Bellingham, Washington
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/FD-30186/comment/EI-19433 · back to the docket sheet