Comment EI-22624
Received or sent (printed as 5/10/2016)
Dave Navecky (OEA project mgr., 395 East St. SW Washington DC 20423001 Great Lakes Basin rail freight line proposal (docket No. FD35952). Most respectfully, I ask that you exert pressure on the Surface Transportation Board in Washington D.C. to stop Great Lakes Basin rail from taking our farmland for freight train tracks that would traverse our county. Please take measures to prevent this tragedy to the farmland and the lifestyle that surrounds it. Its purpose says Frank Patton founder and managing partner of Great Lakes Basin Transportation (GLBT) is to eliminate freight train congestion in Chicago. He speaks of how it would be a great economic boon to the region but in reality the only boon would be to GLBT and the intermodal rail yards in LaPorte (Kingsbury), Indiana. A developer like Patton convinces government entities to take private property for redevelopment and do it for the “public good.” Landowners new to this type of proceeding have little in the way of resources to protect themselves. Eminent domain favors large businesses who abuse the original intent of the law. In short the law can be used for private profit in the name of public benefit. Now Patton intends to use the law for “the public good” to improve shipping around Chicago. From a general viewpoint of the landowner or farmer, it’s an ongoing matter of lifestyle versus monetary gain—a fight to protect the farm, the country lifestyle, and the environment against the forces of expansion. The tracks would affect farming, drainage, waterways and water resources, wildlife, environment and biological resources as well as impact soils, land use, air quality, noise and vibration. They would create delays on highways, block emergency access, affect public safety, and entrance to schools, towns, and homes. Every mile across the county has a county road north and south that the freight train would cross. Originally GLBT talked of over and under passes for traffic but facts seem to indicate most country and state roads will be traversed by ground level railroad crossings. Smaller country roads will simply dead end because of the liability to the railroad. Farmers will be forced to use main roads to move equipment. These trains will be hauling everything and firemen are concerned of spills and derailments. The trains will pass close to several schools and through the Pinney Purdue Agricultural center. Surely the GLBT can utilize existing trucking routes and rail lines running along the north end of the counties. The lifestyle of those who have farmed the land depend on the Surface Transportation Board denying the freight line proposal. The farming lifestyle still thrives across Indiana. It is the bedrock and the foundation of family, work and the economic livelihood of the state. It is too precious to jeopardize with such a scheme that only benefits railroads, truckers and developers like Frank Patton who do not care about the land. Sincerely, Thomas & Rita Patterson 352E. 900 South Kouts, IN 46347
Submitted by: Tom Patterson · Kouts, 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-22624 · back to the docket sheet