Comment EI-19668
Received or sent (printed as 1/9/2013)
Dear Mr. Blodgett, We go through Montana every year when we drive to the Midwest and I am very concerned about the impacts of coal mining and increased rail traffic in that state. The Tongue River Valley is a ranching and farming valley in eastern Montana. Wildlife abounds and it is a lovely place. Unfortunately, the Tongue River Railroad Company has filed a new application for a permit to build a coal-hauling line through it. I fear that this line is for the sole purpose of sending Montana coal to Asia. It is not for the public and the public will get no use out of it. The only folks that will benefit are the folks at Arch Coal. They should not, therefore, be able to get the power of eminent domain and condemnation authority to carry out this project. This project will be have a negative impact on property values. Property along the line will be devalued (especially waterfront property), as some ranch land will be split in half and some fields will be separated from the river. This valley has wildlife resources as well. A rail line with its noise and pollution will disrupt the healthy populations of elk, mule deer, and upland birds that live there. This rail line will bring traffic delays, noise, diesel pollution, potential flooding downstream in Miles City, coal dust and many other problems to a way of life that is truly American. It will move coal that is too dirty to burn in this country to lands far away who will in turn send the pollution back to us. As a resident of the Pacific Northwest, we are the recipients of much of the mercury and other pollutants emitted by plants in Asia. AND WE DON'T WANT IT. Please do not issue this permit. Sincerely, Diana L. Gordon 642 I Street Washougal, Wa. 98671 tndgardens@comcast.net
Submitted by: Diana and Thomas Gordon · Washougal, 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-19668 · back to the docket sheet