Comment EI-13263
Received or sent (printed as 9/26/2008)
I am writing to plead with you to deny the Canadian National Railway's proposal to acquire EJ&E Railroad. I am a resident of the Chicago Western Suburbs whose family and community will be destroyed by CN's plans if they succeed. This proposed action is an outrage. It amounts to nothing more than an already extremely rich and profitable foreign company seeking to forcefully and needlessly destroy our communities in order to gain more profit, and do so purely at the expense of our health, safety, property and pocket-books. Please stop this tremendous injustice. The details were outlined very graphically at the 9/9/08 Town Hall. These are some of the highlights from my notes: o The Draft Environmental Impact Study methodology severely flawed—criticized by EPA, Department of Transportation, multitude of local experts. o Initial estimates 3 times the number of trains per day, 2 ½-3 times as many train cars per train (e.g., 100 cars per train now, 300 later). This does not include CN’s growth plans, 2009-2013 to quadruple capacity—how much will come our way?!?!? o Estimates to mitigate (make safe) all railroad crossings in the western suburbs due to increased traffic $1.8 Billion Dollars! The state and federal governments have already said that they cannot fund this. Guess who will pay?? My guess--- US through property taxes!!!! CN doesn’t have to pay ANY OF THIS!! o Estimated increase in noise and vibrations high and adverse. o Several people noted CN’s dismal safety record in Canada. o Decreased property values. o Traffic at train stops will inhibit Police/Fire/Ambulances’ response time; may cost lives. Limits access to Rush-Copley, area trauma center. o Traffic at train stops’ affect on the daily travel of local citizens. Waits at stops will triple due to train sizes, and will be 3 times as often! o Huge increase in hazardous materials transport through our area. CN has been criticized for a poor HAZMAT response strategy. o Estimated 10 times the risk of a public train-related disaster. o Adjacent to MANY schools, increased risk to children attending schools near railroad lines, crossing tracks to get to school. o Environmental impacts--pollution due to increased cars idling at railroad crossings. o Increased gas usage, increased cost to citizens due to increased cars idling at railroad crossings. o Puts low impact Star Line commuter line at risk. o Negative impacts on local forest preserves, rookeries; 4 state-listed species will lose their habitat. WOULD YOU WANT TO LIVE IN THESE COMMUNITIES IF CN HAS ITS WAY?? The United States is a goverment of the people, by the people and for the people." I must strongly urge that you, as an agency of the U.S. government, rule FOR THE PEOPLE, who have spoken out very loudly against this acquisition so that our communities can be protected against this type of immoral profiteering by a foreign company at the expense of American citizens! Thank you for doing what in the interests of the citizens directly affected by this proposal. Kathy Sundholm"
Submitted by: Kathy Sundholm
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-35087/comment/EI-13263 · back to the docket sheet