Comment EI-23650
Received or sent (printed as 6/13/2016)
Mr. Navecky, After reviewing the available information about the proposed Great Lakes Basin (GLB) rail project, it is my opinion that the proposed GLB project has failed to sufficiently provide documentation that supports public convenience and necessity. Further more I believe that fast tracking this project and waiving the six month notification period was an error on the part of the STB. For the following reasons I respectfully request that the STB cease any further action on this project. - The GLB proposed project subverts the CREATE program which is in the process of relieving the rail congestion in the Chicagoland area. - The GLB proposed project is not collaborative with any other federal, state, or local strategic rail plan. - The GLB proposed project negatively impacts thousands of peoples lives and property values by dividing up prime farmland into small parcels and running past peoples homes to as close as 50 feet. - The GLB proposed project negatively impacts community and personal safety by creating more railroad crossings, emergency vehicle access, creates unprotected rails near homes where children play, and creates potential for derailment. - The GLB proposed project negatively impacts the local environment with the potential of hazardous material spills due to trailer leakage and/or derailment, added noise pollution (especially if trains run 50 to 500 ft. near homes), water pollution/erosion/flooding by digging up creek beds and building large walls of rock / dirt for main thoroughfare crossings. - The loss of thousands of acres of prime farmland will have a long term effect in the ability to feed future generations. - The GLB company is a for-profit company and will have their own self-interest in mind and will not be responsive to community impacts needs once the railroad is built. I just listed a few of the concerns with the GLB proposed project. I suggest the STB reject the GLB proposed plan and re-evaluate a plan that coincides with the CREATE strategy. I would suggest that the STB have more public hearings and include input from communities for congestion resolution versus one-way communication if this proposed project is still considered. I would also suggest that current abandoned rail systems and track be evaluated for use. Perception of Mr. Patton's presentation was short term" versus "long term" community impact and small town economic and employment opportunities seem naïve. Mr. Patton's perceived "talking down" to the public and short timeframe communication were negatively received; seemed like "pulling a fast one over the people" so they could not organize. Thank you for your consideration. Steve Bates *My family's property and land will be directly impacted by proposed GLB project."
Submitted by: Steve Bates
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.
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