Comment EI-23406
Received or sent (printed as 6/5/2016)
Re: Docket No. 35952 - Great Lakes Basin Transportation, Inc. Dear Mr. Navecky, One last time I'm going to ask the STB to terminate Great Lakes Basin Transportation, Inc.'s proposed project. Because you would only accept environmental issues and nothing else, many feel that this is already a done deal. Because you have allowed GLBT to begin the approval process with very limited consistent detail for its proposed rail line, it is felt that the FAST Act was abused to push this through quickly to avoid the least amount of resistance from the public, and so it appears that the GLBT has the upper hand and the ears of the STB and not the populace. Some question why this proposed project was even accepted by the Surface Transportation Board when other rail lines have their own highways and CREATE is in place that you were asked to host the concept. I wish I could put you and the three appointed members of the STB, who could make this life altering decision for us, in a car and take you on a tour of the route through the farmlands and rural communities that this would destroy. I'd like to take you to a community meeting so you could see the heartbreak and the devastation that this is causing Americans who live honestly, pay their taxes, vote and have hopes, dreams and aspirations. This land is NOT underdeveloped." Illinois farmlands are the leading producer of soybeans, corn and swine. According to the Illinois Department of Agriculture 2014, there are 27 million acres of farmland and about 75% of the state is agricultural. Illinois also ranks 3rd nationally in the export of agricultural commodities with $8.2 billion shipped to other countries annually. This route is not proposed to go through some god-forsaken desert but through America's Heartland. This is America where we thought we lived securely in homes that we purchase, pay our mortgages and taxes and live the American dream without the threat of someone taking it from us. Where another private citizen who thinks they have a good idea cannot go to a government agency and ask them to approve that idea so that they can take huge amounts of land to do what with? No one seems to be able to tell us, not even them - GLBT. We wonder why that information is not being shared, when asked, with those that are being asked to sacrifice so much. So for the last time, please accept these environmental concerns: Field tiles being displaced and the altering of creeks and drainage ditches after years of federal and state agricultural bureaus and farmers working together to solve the problems of field drainage. The given grade of land being altered and changing the flow of the surface water, again after land has been worked to stabilize it. Cutting down trees and removing flora in the 200 foot easement will alter the habitat for the wildlife, remove trees that reduce and remove dangerous greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere, and induce soil erosion. Soil being compacted during the construction process would take years to repair and hopefully make it viable for crop production. Possible ground water (private wells) and soil contamination damages forever due to derailments, leaking train cars and HAZMAT spills. Noise and vibration that will impact virtually everything from livestock, raptors, our buffalo herds, nuclear power plants, abandoned mine shafts and people. People and their homes. In 1960 Henry Luce wrote, "More than anything else, the people of America are asking for a clear sense of national purpose"..."From all over the land, there is evidence that this is what American's are worrying about." Mr. Patton has stated that Great Lakes Basin Transportation, Inc. is the "definition of the national purpose." Please demonstrate to Mr. Patton that his thought process is incorrect by telling him, thanks but no thanks, and the majority of us, clearly knowing right from wrong, will continue to debate what our national purpose is. Regards, April Gerstung"
Submitted by: April Gerstung
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-23406 · back to the docket sheet