Comment EI-20494
Received or sent (printed as 7/31/2014)
Dear Ms. Wood. I am responding to US Surface Transportation Board’s request to review the draft Environmental Assessment for the proposed action to construct approximately 1,360 feet of track to connect two existing railroads just outside the corporate limits of the City of Elberton, Elbert County, Georgia. A related action outside the scope of the proposed action is the relocation of an existing railroad, the length of which is under a half mile, approximately five feet within its existing right-of-way (ROW). The proposed action’s purpose is to reduce the number of carriers from three to two and to expand the applicant’s service points to the economic benefit of the surrounding rural communities. Thank you for the opportunity to review STB’s draft EA. EPA’s only comment is to reiterate previously made water-quality protect recommendations. These include the use of stringent erosion control practices during construction activities and timely re-establishment of vegetation on disturbed areas. The inspection and maintenance of silt fences and other erosion control devices until vegetation has stabilized disturbed grounds. The use of natural vegetation and grading techniques (e.g. vegetated swales, turn-offs, vegetated buffer strips) to ensure the road or ROW does not serve as a conduit for storm water or pollutants into the water during or after construction. Sincerely, Beth Walls Environmental Scientist NEPA Program Office U.S. EPA, Region 4 404-562-8309
Submitted by: Beth Walls · US EPA, Region 4 · Atlanta, GA
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-35756/comment/EI-20494
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