Comment EI-19522
Received or sent (printed as 1/7/2013)
I am writing because I am extremely concerned about the proposals to transport coal from Montana and Wyoming to terminals on the Pacific Coast for export to Asia, because they are likely to have serious impacts on public health and the environment. The proposal to build a coal-hauling railroad line through the Tongue River Valley is particularly worrisome for two reasons: 1) it would have adverse consequences for 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. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and go there several times a year to visit my family. I also care deeply about climate change. For those reasons, this proposal is particularly concerning to me. Regarding the Tongue River Valley rail proposal, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) should analyze a number of things, in particular: 1. Degradation of wildlife: Industrializing the valley with the railroad and a coal strip mine will hurt the Valley's rich wildlife habitate. 2. 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. This will have serious economic, environmental and societal consequences. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. Climate change from increased greenhouse gas emissions: The greenhouse gas costs of Otter Creek coal go far beyond just burning the coal. It must be mined, hauled by trains fueled by diesel to West Coast terminals, shipped overseas by ships fueled by diesel, and then hauled in China to the plants. 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. For example, the Gateway Pacific Terminal will have negative impacts on the communities, ecosystems, ecosystem services, and quality of life in the region. Likely serious impacts include underwater noise from the propellers on the ships, in excess of 180 decibels; a greater risk of oil spills; ballast water that introduces exotic species; coal dust and diesel exhaust that will cause respiratory health problems; and impacts on Pacific herring that spawn in the spring near Cherry Point. As a result, I urge you to include studies of underwater noise, exotic species from ballast water, coal dust and diesel exhaust from the trains, and the potential for oil spills in the EIS. Climate change is a serious problem, and it is time to enact policies and measures that mitigate climate change rather than exacerbating it. We should support US-China partnerships, both public and private, that help China transition to cleaner energy sources rather than burning more and more coal - for example, China already has a burgeoning solar panel industry. We should support incentives for the development of clean energy businesses in Wyoming, Montana, and Washington State, and for consumers to use cleaner energy and use it more efficiently. I will continue to follow this issue closely, as I feel that moving forward with this proposal would have terrible consequences for all of us, and for our children and grandchildren. Sincerely, Nora Ferm
Submitted by: Nora Ferm · Washington, DC
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-19522 · back to the docket sheet