Comment EI-20838
Received or sent (printed as 12/19/2014)
Hello Mr. Dave Navecky, I am writing the STB in concern over the Port Canaveral Cargo Rail Extension in its current proposed state. The issues I have with this plan are numerous, but I would appreciate if you address these specific concerns in your final draft of the EIS. Our non-tidal lagoons (banana and Indian River), Manatee Preserve, and Wildlife Refuge that will be affected by this plan are local economic engines and precious. These areas attract visitors and greatly improve the quality of life for our residents. I would like to know direct impacts of the proposed plan of an earthen causeway will impact this vital habitat. Seagrass habitats are conerstones of the lagoons health. How will the construction of this causeway affect the: • Shoal grass, Halodule wrightii; • Turtle grass, Thalassia testudinum; • Manatee grass, Syringodium filiforme; • Johnson’s seagrass, Halophila johnsonii; • Star grass, Halophila engelmanni; • Paddle grass, Halophila decipiens; and • Widgeon grass, Ruppia maritima. What are the most recent seagrass studys for the Banana river Lagoon and Indian River lagoon? How much money does an acre of heathy seagrass bring our local economy yearly? How will increased usage of the rai affect the seagrass. What are the port authority’s plans to contain, clean, and mitigate a spill of any nature in a closed lagoon system? What are the time frames for complete cleaning and mitigation of all expected cargo in the event of a spill? How will a spill affect shore plants that are vital and many protected? Please explaine mitigating stratigies for the fallowing (but not limited to): • Red mangrove, Rhizophora mangle; • Black mangrove, Avicienna germinans; and, • White mangrove, Laguncularia racemosa. • Smooth cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora; • Saltmeadow cordgrass (or salt hay), Spartina patens; • Black rush (or needle rush), Juncus roemerianus; • Saltwort, Batis maritima; • Glasswort (or pickleweed), Salicornia sp.; • Saltgrass, Distichlis spicata; and, • Sea-oxeye daisy, Borrichia frutescens. Thirty-six rare, threatened, or endangered species are found in the Indian River lagoon region. One of these species is the West Indian Manatee. More than one-third of the nation’s manatee population lives in or migrates through the Banana and Indian River Lagoon. The region is the only location in the world where you can find the Atlantic salt marsh snake and indigo snake. How will this rail affect those threated and endangered species in the long and short term plans. The lands and water ways this rail will cover have had no development. Would they have stayed that way (less this)? What olans had been made 5, 10, 20 years ago? As a concerned citizen I ask that the STB is diligent in investigating these and the many other issues that a project of this scope can unearth. This should also include the projected growth and increased rail traffic the Port Authority will adopt! I believe a well-rounded EIS is necessary to determine if the true cost of this current plan is far too high. The areas will play host to this railway long after we have gone, and will still be in the eyesight of our children. The 528 corridor seems to be the best and only option available that would not have drastic impacts on our already fragile lagoon and refuge. A less desirable version, but still better than earthen berms; would be elevated truss for the entire length and not one scoop of fill dirt used. Is the 3.7 Billion our lagoons and refuge bring this economy worth risking for a few cargo rail jobs? Thank You
Submitted by: Alex Gorichky · No Fill No Kill · 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-20838 · back to the docket sheet