Comment EI-21841
Received or sent (printed as 4/7/2016)
[Monroe Center] Dave Navecky, Surface Transportation Board 395 E. Street SW, Washington, DC 20423-0001 Docket NO FD 35952 Dear Mr. Navecky, I’m writing to hopefully persuade the Surface Transportation Board that the Great Lakes Basin Railroad in not in our states best interest. This proposed railroad has many environmental, safety, and economic risks. I am an Ogle County resident and will be directly affected from this potentially devastating project. Coming from an agricultural family and also a family that will be directly affected by this proposal, the environmental concerns are plentiful. You are taking away valuable farmland that once lost will never be returned. The water flow patterns already established will be altered causing significant changes to the productivity of our lands and the potential for flooding in areas that have never before been a significant problem. There is a significant environmental concerns with the possibility of flammable materials and materials that could affect the ability to adequately produce crops. I could go on with the environmental concerns of noise pollution, air pollution, and the idea that forests of trees that line the Rock River will be decimated. Why not try to preserve our state’s natural resources? There are many safety concerns about this project. I live on a rural country road that will likely have a lights only or unmarked crossing. There are many concerns as these fast moving trains will come often and quickly. The likelihood of increased accidents is eminent. With the idea that I will have three young drivers who will have to use this road multiple times a day, it is terrifying to think of what could happen. I also have safety concerns knowing several of our avenues out of our area are gravel. The likelihood of those roads being closed or having unmarked train crossings is a great potential. This is concerning since our school buses must travel these roads to pick up the country kids for school. Our local volunteer fire department struggles to get enough help to run ambulance calls and handle fire calls. What happens when a trail derails or a vehicle is struck by the GLB train? The closing of the small gravel backroads in our area will also cause farm machine to take routes on busier highways with potential to cause accidents. Economic issues is another major concern that we have with this railroad. With this railroad passing by our home .33 miles away, our home value will plummet. We bought this house two years ago and remodel it to fit our needs. We did not hold back knowing that it would be our forever house and we were back in the lands that my husband grew up in. We will lose a significant amount of value in our home. Who wants to live that close to a railroad? It is different if you choose to buy a house by a railroad. You have prior knowledge knowing that it is already there. This project was a complete surprise to us. What happens when the railroad is allowed to take land and starts the project and it goes under? What additional costs will local government, county government, and state government have to pay in order to make roads safe and maintain the crossings? We all know Illinois finances are in danger. This train will bring little to no financial long term benefit for our municipalities. The private gain of these railroads will not help the residents of our county, state, or region. I hope you take serious consideration of saying NO to this project. It has a negative impact on our environment, safety, and our economy. Sincerely, Janet Hall 19003 Telephone Rd. Monroe Center, IL 61052
Submitted by: Janet Hall · Monroe Center, Illinois
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-35952/comment/EI-21841 · back to the docket sheet