Comment EI-23492
Received or sent (printed as 6/7/2016)
ATTN: Docket # FD 35952 June 7, 2016 Mr. Navecky Surface Transportation Board Docket No. FD 35952 395 E Street, SW Washington, DC 20423-0001 I am concerned about the noise pollution that will be created by the Proposed GLB Railroad, and it's negative impact on my property value as well as many others along the proposed route. Attached is a scientific study by The Official Journal of the Southern Regional Science Association. The title is Silence is Golden: Railroad Noise Pollution and Property Values* Jay K. Walker Department of Economics and Finance, Niagara University, USA The Conclusion (in part) says; “The central estimates show a range of between a 14 to 18 percent decrease in property value for residential properties for being located within the 65 decibel contour across the six crossings studied in the greater Memphis area. While the economic impact of noise on property values has been discussed at length, it may understate the value to society if the health impacts are considered.” This study was in the Memphis, TN. In the area studied during the 30-day monitoring period, 465 trains were reported to have traversed the corridor, averaging 15.5 per day with a single-day minimum of 10 trains and a single-day maximum of 40 trains. The average train length in rail cars is 87.7, with average passing speeds of 22.3 cars per minute, or 15.2 miles per hour, along the corridor. My home is less than one quarter mile from two crossings on the proposed route well within a 65 decibel contour as described in the study. The decrease of my property would be even greater than 14 to 18 percent since the GLB proposal calls for up to 110 trains per day at speeds up to 70 MPH. I reviewed STB detail maps of the proposed route. There are many other residential properties that would be impacted in the same way. Along the proposed path, which could likely change, there are thousands of homes and farms that will see their home and land values reduced because of noise pollution and other impacts of the GLB Railroad. This proposal is inconsistent with the public convenience and necessity. I request the STB to ensure the scope of the Environmental Impact Study associated with the project be as broad and stringent as possible, and include investigation of and weighing the relative impact of the proposed rail line's claimed economic efficiencies against the enormous tangible and intangible costs that would be imposed on residents and owners of property that fall on or near the path of the rail line and that ultimately the proposed GLBT Project be denied. Randall Mau 4048N 8000W Rd Bonfield, IL 60913
Submitted by: Randall Mau · BONFIELD, 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.
The text Walker_Silence_Is_Golden_2016 (3).pdf ↓
Permanent address docketyard.org/d/FD-35952/comment/EI-23492
File docketyard.org/document/249449e0a0dc297686dae91af4cd299247e3d731fa9198c97a2f049c7121222b.pdf · back to the docket sheet