Comment EI-22126
Received or sent (printed as 4/19/2016)
The proposed GLB train line would cross over the Piscasaw Creek in Boone County, IL. I live in the first subdivision located 2 miles west and downstream of this location. 1. The creek has changed course over the last 30 years due to natural causes. I am concerned about further alterations that could be caused by constant train traffic and vibrations. 2. I am also concerned about possible contamination of the creek due to erosion or a chemical spill caused by such railroad activity. There is also an oil pipeline very close to the proposed track location. The possible risk of pipeline damage should be thoroughly studied. 3. The creek runs past our back yard, where there is a flood plain. Water for the subdivision comes from wells along this area. 4. Further downstream are 3-4 other subdivisions where 500-1000 people live. 5. Beyond that, the creek empties into the Kishwaukee River, and the tracks would pass over this river itself. The Kishwaukee flows past these locations through the center of the city of Belvidere, through a township park, and through a conservation district. Any contamination of the water in the creek or river would prove disastrous to all of these locations. 6. In addition, I am concerned about noise. At present, we can hear whistles from trains that pass on existing tracks four to five times farther away than the proposed tracks. The additional noise, vibration, and pollution caused by constant freight train traffic will destroy the quiet, rural environment of the area. Farm land, fish and wildlife are bound to be impacted negatively. 7. I see no counterbalancing benefit to the Boone County area that would justify such environmental risk and damage. Apparently, the applicants see Boone County as nothing more than high speed roll-over country. I hope and trust that the STB will view things much differently. 8. I do not believe that any mitigating conditions could be imposed that would sufficiently protect the area from these hazards so long as the tracks are located in this area. 9. The proposed route also crosses the Illinois tollway I-90 in Boone County. The impact of an overpass on this roadway and on the water table in Spring Township should also be carefully studied. Accordingly, I would request that the scope of the study involve all of these issues and that a careful field study be made of the entire area along and near the creek and river as well as the tollway area mentioned. Ultimately, I would ask that the application be denied so long as the proposed railroad is located anywhere in Boone County or near the Piscasaw Creek, the Kishwaukee River, or the high water table of Spring Township.
Submitted by: David Englund · Belvidere, IL
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-22126 · back to the docket sheet