Comment EI-18843
Received or sent (printed as 3/6/2012)
1. The public at large and the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas (Tribe"), City of Eagle Pass, Maverick County and the Maverick County Hospital District are all overwhelmingly opposed to this entire project. 2. This proposed rail line will run through or near land controlled by the Tribe. 3. The mine lacks a dust abatement/suppression plan and it has no water under contract for such a plan. 4. The proposed two train cars per day are estimated to be over 100 cars long. These will be uncovered cars full of coal and attendant dust, which will propose a hazard to all along the line. 5. The owners of the proposed line are controlled by MINOSA, a Mexican entity, with a long list of safety violations. 6. The coal to be transported will go to service to electric coal generating plants in Piedras Negras, Mexico. These plants are across the Rio Grande river from the City of Eagle Pass and the Tribe's Reservation. They will burn this low quality, high sulphur coal without pollution controls and the pollutants will travel back across the river into Eagle Pass and the Reservation. 7. The trains will travel through the habitat of two endangered species, the jaguarandi and ocelot. These animals' survival could be adversely affected by the train line. At a minimum, constant train traffic would impermissibly harass the animals. 8. The area outlined for the train traffic is one mile from the City of Eagle Pass' water intake, which is the sole source of water for the inhabitants of the City and surrounding areas. The proposed line potentially endangers this sole source of water and its impact should be seriously examined. 9. The area is a cultural asset of the Tribe, and as such, it should not be disturbed by train traffic and excavation. 10. The local population is concerned that the proposed line would transport more than the legal commodities listed. The concern is heightened by the already strained resources patrolling the existing crossings. Community distrust of the owners of the proposed line is very high. 11. Applicants have not provided sufficient proof of insurance and bonding to protect the community. 12. A U.S. railroad and International bridge should not be controlled by a Mexican entity. Depositions taken in a case pending before the Texas Railroad Commission demonstrate conclusively that MINOSA controls all financial, engineering and operational decisions of this venture. There is concern that this project constitutes a danger to national security. Upon request, this information will be shared. Respectfully submitted by Elizabeth Burkhardt, Attorney for the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, who is working with the City of Eagle Pass and Maverick County Hospital District in opposition to this project. Direct Line: 832-922-2919"
Submitted by: Elizabeth Burkhardt · Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas
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-35554/comment/EI-18843 · back to the docket sheet