Comment EI-20755
Received or sent (printed as 12/16/2014)
My concerns are: 1. The new rail line either option 1 or 2 would have a detrimental effect on the Indian River Lagoon. At this point it is in a fragile state at best. This part of the lagoon is one of the last virtually untouched,seagrass strongholds. Will we loose the improving lagoon to backfill, train pilings and vibrations? Will our aquatic life be affected to and unneeded end? 2. Recreation in the Indian River Lagoon would be disrupted during the construction phase and also be an aesthetically un pleasing sight when the lift bridge is left in the upright position except when a train is crossing. This would not be a draw for our community in which outdoor activity is one of the most important draws to this part of Merritt Island. 3.Public Safety is my number one concern for options 1 and 2. I lived in Farragut TN a small municipality outside Knoxville on September 15, 2002. A derailment of 27 cars happened next to the water. Hazardous materials were released and 2600 people over a 4.4 mile area were evacuated for 3 days. The cost in 2014 dollars was $1,337,417,and untold misery. I said I would never live near a railing again so we searched for a 4home away from the tracks and now we have to fight for our community when there is another option that would be less intrusive and less expensive. The 528 corridor is already in place with some tracks and right of ways already there. 4. The wildlife: The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is a prime scrub habitat of wildlife biodiversity that taxpayers have paid to protect. The rail line would cut through not only the scrub habitat but also could impact the wetlands habitat, the filter for the lagoon. Fill for the corridor could block the natural flow of the wetlands. According to FLORIDA TODAY the 100 foot wide corridor of the two proposed alignments would cross over and cover more than 40 acres of wetlands. The north most option across the Banana River would cross over a 46 acre strip of the river while the more southern option would span a 30 acre strip. 5. Air Quality is a real concern. We have been told that the newer trains meet much stricter pollution standards. This may be true but with this plan to locate the train it is still in my backyard and there is still polution wether it be air, noise, vibrations or any other health effect.
Submitted by: Roberta Wisniowski · Merritt Island, Florida
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-35852/comment/EI-20755 · back to the docket sheet