Comment EI-23104
Received or sent (printed as 5/31/2016)
I would like to state my opposition to the proposed Great Lakes Basin Rail Line. I believe this project would negatively impact the local communities, homes, farms, and other businesses on and near the path of this new rail line. It would negatively impact a huge swath of prime farmland and it does not appear to have the local support of existing regional rail companies or the regional public/private partnership CREATE. I'm very concerned that this rail line would decrease public safety by increasing rail traffic far beyond what local volunteer fire departments and other public safety groups could handle when train derailments and other rail accidents occur. I'm very concerned that This proposed line would run near several schools and towns. It would most likely close many roads which would increase travel times significantly for emergency responders. This rail line would potentially negatively impact the local environment if there was a hazardous material spill, but it would also negatively impact the local environment in many other daily ways. I'm concerned about impacts to local wildlife including negative impacts to nesting bald eagles near the proposed route and about ecological damage at or near local waterways like the Fox River. I do not believe this project should be approved, as I think the negative public and environmental impacts far out weigh the unproven stated goals of a for profit novice outfit to reduce rail congestion. I think any proposal should follow proper channels and come through and be supported by local groups like CREATE.
Submitted by: Frederick Mark Scheppler · LaGrange, 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-23104 · back to the docket sheet