Comment EI-24545
Received or sent (printed as 7/11/2016)
The proposed GLB Railroad Project majorly affects my farm. The proposed route severs my land in two. The route enters/exits the northeast portion of my farm, winds around behind my farm buildings and horse pastures, and enters/exits the southwest portion, traveling very close to my buildings and new house. As far as I can tell, it's around 1/10th of a mile from my house! Extensive field tiling has been done where the proposed route runs. Once the tile is severed or crushed, I will again likely have water issues in my basement, as will the older farm house also on my property. In addition, excessive rain water will not be able to flow naturally to the waterway, which is located on the opposite side of the proposed track. Areas of farmland could be rendered useless for agricultural production due to increased flooding. Stagnant water would be a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Northern Illinois has some of the most fertile, productive farm land in the world. The amount of acres that would be destroyed would not only prove harmful for us landowners, but to the public as well, as valuable ag production is diminished. As you must be aware, our property values will plummet, and our way of life forever destroyed. I also have serious concerns about the safety issues of high speed freight trains carrying toxic substances! My concerns are also for possible contamination of my land and private well, not to mention toxic gas release into the air in the event of a derailment. I have 6 horses (2 of them show horses) and other animals on my farm. I am also very concerned how the presence of the trains, along with the noise, vibrations, and air pollution, would adversely affect them and me and my family! STRESS! The plan calls for our road to be stubbed". The time for emergency vehicles to reach my farm will be extended. In emergencies, time is precious and can mean the difference between life and death! Farm machinery will have to travel on busier roads, and the additional time and expense to get from one parcel of land to the other parcel due to the severed farm is certainly another great concern. THE GLB RAILROAD PROJECT IS NOT NEEDED! There are many under utilized and abandoned railroad tracks in northern Illinois. Also Chicago's CREATE PROGRAM has been working on the railroad congestion issue."
Submitted by: Roberta Sue Radovich
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-24545 · back to the docket sheet