Comment EI-19702
Received or sent (printed as 1/9/2013)
Dear Sir, I am very concerned about the proposal to construct a rail line through the Tongue River Valley to transport coal to Asia via the Pacific NW. This would have a hugely negative impact on the Valley, not only for the people living there but for the wildlife and environment as well. Further, since the railroad would serve only one coal company, Arch Coal, it does not satisfy the requirement for eminent domain, that condemnation is for public convenience and necessity." The negative impacts will extend far beyond the Tongue River Valley impacting communities all along the proposed route. I ask that you study the effects these coal trains will have on both surface and ground water. According to BNSF, each one of their rail cars loses 500 lbs of coal dust per trip. Considering this fact it seems inevitable that both surface and ground water will be contaminated with these heavy metals. I ask also that you study the effects these heavy metals will have on aquatic life in local rivers,streams,lakes,wetlands. Please also consider the impact it will have on wildlife movement and migration. I request the EIS also consider what costs the public is likely to bear to mitigate the effects of the proposed rail line. These costs would include, but not be limited to: Rail crossing upgrades, any costs to mitigate disruptions to public transportation, public health, ecosystem health, and likely loss of property value caused by the rail line and numerous coal trains. These studies should not just identify what the public would have to pay for, but include a realistic estimate of how much it would actually cost. Thank you, Dr. R Kim Feringer"
Submitted by: Kim Feringer
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-19702 · back to the docket sheet