Comment EI-20814
Received or sent (printed as 12/19/2014)
Dear Dave Navecky, I am opposed to the PCRE for Safety reasons. Freight rail accidents are not uncommon (see attached data). There are no existing rail operations in the proposed area. The eastern side of North Merritt Island is essentially an undisturbed wetlands within the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, that outfalls into the Banana River section of the Indian River Lagoon. The area has not been exposed to traffic, industrial construction or heavy machinery, much less a freight train. The construction of a railroad in this area is illogical in for multiple safety and compatibility reasons. The Brevard County Emergency Management Service (BCEMS) has a 7 minute goal for emergency response time. KSC Medical Services provides emergency service contractors with similar response goals. There is no way sufficient/adequate emergency service may be provided in this refuge area in this period of time. (BCMRS Dis. Cntr.) There is no way to limit or monitor the type of cargo of a proposed freight system in this area. Toxic, contaminated, explosive or flammable cargoes may be expected in both directions on a heavy diesel cargo freight rail. The risks to the population living within a 2 mile area from the proposed rail are far too great to support such operation. (See attached list of U.S. Rail Accidents in the last four years) The proximity of large communities and public recreation areas presents a clear and present danger for the residents of NMI. These citizens have chosen an area next to a Wildlife Refuge to avoid just such consequences. The investments of tax payers in this area cannot be ignored. To allow such industrial development proximal to residential homes and a publicly supported recreation complex is incompatible with the surrounding area, in addition to the risk factors. There is no mitigation that will prevent the loss of investment/property value, quality of life or peace of mind for the citizens affected. (Related to EIS Impact Categories #10, #12, #14 & #16) There is no way to monitor the area for accidental or intentional rail incidents that may precipitate an emergency situations. The KSC emergency medical response system is designed to service the populated industrial area of KSC, not for all undisturbed wetland areas within the entire Wildlife Refuge. (See attached listings of U.S. Rail Accidents from 2011 through 2014) Current response goals by the Brevard County Fire Rescue is 9 minutes. In case of fire from freight rail accidents, there is no way suppression could be competently attained in this dense, refuge area. In case of toxic spills from accidents, there is no way the surface waters and ultimately aquifer and lagoon would not be contaminated. (Related to EIS Impact Category # 6) The cumulative and incremental risks are too great to support the proposed route for the Port’s rail extension. This proposed construction is inconsistent with the public convenience, safety and necessity, as well as incompatible with the surrounding development. (Related to EIS Impact Category #16) The proposed Rail Extension by the Canaveral Port Authority puts the citizens and environment of Brevard County at risk. Sincerely, Mary E. Hillberg
Submitted by: Mary Hillberg · 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.
The text Railway Accidents in the United States.pdf ↓
Permanent address docketyard.org/d/FD-35852/comment/EI-20814
File docketyard.org/document/12e1bf0e9a4b2c8f5731d1274db3492fc8c4785abc3fd5b9f38b527a81e240e3.pdf · back to the docket sheet