Comment EI-24982
Received or sent (printed as 7/15/2016)
There are several items about the proposed Great Lakes Basin Transportation llc project I find disturbing and should be reviewed in an environmental impact study. First, 15,000 acres for a railyard" is most unusual. I don't believe for a minute the intent is to only be a "railyatd". There has never been a railyard in North America that huge and GLBT has not offered an explanation why they are seeking such a large takeover of privately owned property. The proximity of this "railyard" to the proposed third Chicagoland airport is also interesting. More information is needed from Frank Patton about the intent of this "railyard", and regardless, an EIS needs to consider the likelihood this "railyard" will be developed into a 12,000 acre industrial Park with rail siting. To put in comparison, the Union Pacific North Platte Nebraska railyard is only 2,850 acres. In all likelihood, it is impossible to use all 15,000 acres as a railyard, but seek eminent domain from the Surface Transportation Board for future use as an industrial development. It only makes sense for an EIS to make contingencies for such and assume the potential for a worst case scenario. The question needs to be asked by the Surface Transportation Board "what potential industry needs to be considered for a 12,000 acre industrial development". At the least, the a very large petroleum tank farm, multiple large oil refineries, and several chemical manufacturing plants should be assumed to be located on the GLBT "railyard". The needs for water and electricity for the GLBT "railyard" should also be considered. Any synergy in development next to a third Chicagoland airport should also be considered. Frank Patton has already confirmed a desire to transport any hazardous materials along the proposed GLBT railroads. It is only fair to assume manufacturing development will also be encouraged at the "railyard". As for the proposed rail line, to make an accurate EIS, every drainage tile district along the proposed path needs to be notified. Every drainage tile main near the proposed rail needs to be found and documented. This proposed project will eliminate any future development of drainage districts and affect farmland not just contiguous to the proposed projects, but also several miles away from the project."
Submitted by: Scott Thorsen
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-24982 · back to the docket sheet