Comment EI-22656
Received or sent (printed as 5/12/2016)
I own farm land in the potential path of the proposed Great Lakes Basin Railroad and I wish to express my opposition to the project for the following reasons: 1. )The proposed railroad will significantly disrupt farming operations by restricting farmers from accessing their land. While the project developer has boasted that he will pay double the going rate for farmland, this will not be adequate compensation for the permanent operational disruptions caused when an existing farm is divided by a railroad. In addition, the project developer is not providing compensation for the reduction in value to the surrounding land where access is limited by his track. 2.) Based on the proposed route, bypassing Chicago and other populated areas, the proposed line will be a logical choice for high hazard cargo such as crude oil shipments headed to BP's Whiting, IN refinery and other refineries to the east. In recent years rail accidents involving shipments of crude oil have resulted in significant loss of life and property; in addition to environmental damage . A large percentage of the cargo on this rail is likely to be crude oil and other hazardous materials that are not destined for the Chicago area. When reviewing the risks of this project I believe the STB must recognize the high percentage of hazardous cargo that will be transported on the proposed route. 3.) It is my understanding that the developer is requesting the government to use its eminent domain authority for their benefit. I strongly oppose this action. Unfortunately, it has become a common occurrence for a government body to seize private property and provide that property to another party for their private use. While eminent domain is a necessary authority for projects that truly benefit the public (such as a highway or a public school) its use to enrich private parties such as railroads is an abuse of the government's authority.
Submitted by: James Brossman · Oswego, 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-22656 · back to the docket sheet