Comment EI-20832
Received or sent (printed as 12/19/2014)
Dear Dave Navecky, A few of my constituents have sent me questions and statements regarding the PCRE, requesting I send them in to you for them, as they are not able to do so themselves. The following are those comments. If you have questions, I will do my bet to answer them or forward them in person to my neighbors. Thank you for your good work. 1. We understand the KSC wishes the proposed rail to run between 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. so as not to “inconvenience “ tourists and KSC workers. Continuous train noise all night would be very difficult for the community reducing our quality of life and property values. What are the operating hours and days for the proposed rail system? 2. There is national funding to recover the sea grasses (starting near Sykes Creek, to see if positive results are seen, including presence of clams and cleaner water) and Mosquito Lagoon is to benefit as well. What impact will the proposed rail system have on that continued funding? 3. What is planned for the Existing barge canal and its usefulness (cost savings, etc.) to the Port? 4. Transportation of Ethanol and Biodiesel fuel is planned. What will be the impact of an accident involving these toxic fuels on the fragile lagoon environment? What are the health risks to the North Merritt Island citizens, as well as the Indian River Lagoon? 5. There are significant cost savings already realized and land utilization examples at KSC/NASA including; lease (20 yr.) of Launch Pad A to SpaceX , lease of Orbiter Processing Facility High Bay 1 to Boeing, demolition of buildings (not required post Shuttle), and potential leases of the Shuttle Landing Facility. How will these cost savings be affected by the proposed rail extension? 6. The red drum and tarpon are very popular sport fish species that are specific to the area of the Banana River that the Port plans to disrupt. They are not found in other areas of the lagoon and their sensitive spawning and breeding areas cannot be mitigated elsewhere in the lagoon. We feel this is an unacceptable biological impact to the lagoon, as well as a significant socioeconomic impact to the recreational interests of the community and a significant economic impact to the citizens. According to the latest Economic Assessment and Analysis by Hazen & Sawyer (2008), Brevard County receives $1.2 Billion in annual revenues from the combined tourist, recreational and scientific advantages of the Indian River Lagoon. Were this revenue stream to be taken from us, the citizens of Brevard County would have to replace these critically needed funds with increased taxes and fees. We feel this is an undue burden on the Brevard Community and an unacceptable impact for the citizens to bear. We feel the No Action" recommendation is the best choice for this venture. Second to that, we feel the SR528 commercial corridor is the logical choice for such a heavy industrial construction. Please choose either of those. Thank you, Mary Hillberg & Citizens of North Merritt Island"
Submitted by: Mary Elizabeth Hillberg
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-20832 · back to the docket sheet