Comment EI-22236
Received or sent (printed as 4/25/2016)
I am writing in regards to the proposed GLB Railroad in Northwest Indiana. I strongly oppose this rail line for many reasons, one being that based off of the proposed route it will be running within a half a mile of my back yard. We purchased this home, our dream home, in October with no knowledge of these plans. We moved to the country for peace, quite, safety, and to start a family with space enough for our children to play safely. This rail line would greatly reduce our property value and create many dangers to our family. My concerns are for the safety of this rail line, what if there is ever a derailment a toxic chemical spill, etc? What happens to our homes, the air we breathe, and our drinking water if any of these were to occur? And not to mention the intense noise this would create in our area. And what about the farmers that for so many generations have lived off of their farms making a living for themselves and their families with a legacy to pass down from generation to generation? Are people's livelihood and safety less important than this railroad? Aside from the obvious negative impacts from a safety, land use, and quality of life perspective, the fact that this private company can wield the power of eminent domain for its own private gain is appalling. The right to own private property is the American dream for many. How secure is that right if a private company can come in and use their influence to condemn and confiscate the landowners property from them? Allowing a private company to use eminent domain is unconscionable. Should the right of a property taker be more powerful than the rights of a property owner? While you're not asking for public money, you are asking for one of the most sacred rights we have as American's and that is the right to own private property. I strongly urge you to please deny this GLB Railway.
Submitted by: Cassie Brannum · VALPARAISO, IN
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-22236 · back to the docket sheet