Comment EI-25014
Received or sent (printed as 7/15/2016)
Dear Mr. Dave Navecky, I am writing to express my concerns about the proposed Great Lakes Basin railroad - and I have many of them. In my mind, the biggest issue is the need for this new railroad and the sustainibility of it - and the entire current railroad industry. Nobody can truly predict the future. But we can guarantee that it will be different. Just 30 years ago, technologies such as wireless internet, smart phones and self-driving cars would have sounded like science fiction - just as crazy as railroads would have sounded to people living in the 18th century. Despite a couple of surges that have not lasted, Class 1 railroads have been in a downward death spiral in the United States for the better part of 100 years. Recent changes in energy - especially the unstoppable decline of the coal industry - and transportation will only continue this trend. New advances in shipping and technology will only accelerate this chance. There is a reason that this proposal would be the biggest new rail line in the United States in 104 years. There is a reason that more rail lines have been abandoned then built in the 20th century. Railroads are noisy, dirty products of the 19th century - not the 21st. And we know so much more about the dangers of pollution - not just from the construction but from simply running trains on the rails - then we did 100 years ago or more. The potential dangers to homes, communities and water sources along the GLB route is an unacceptable risk, especially when considering the current state and future of the railroad industry. Even if this railroad sees a sizable amount of traffic in its first couple of decades were it to be built, the negative effects on the land around it could last for centuries. The environmental dangers around the proposed GLB route are such that I cannot support any alternative route that involves more than a tiny amount of construction for entirely new railroad. There are enough existing lines that can be used or renovated. Given the state of the railroad industry, any large amount of new construction would be foolish. Among my other specific concerns: 1. The proposed railroad's proximity to Bluhm County Park on County Road 1100 West in Westville is entirely unacceptable. There are two wetland areas on the west side of the park and a small pond - filled with fish and turtles - on the east side that would be seriously threatened by pollution just from the construction of the railroad. The peace and quiet of miles of trails that are frequented everyday by walkers, runners, bikes and horseback riders would vanish. A large dog park and a covered picnic shelter (both key sources of revenue for La Porte County Parks) would become unusable with the railroad tracks less than 100 feet away. There is also a historical site in the park - the sensitive remains of the foundation of the Crumpacker homestead - that is very close to the proposed rail line. Bluhm is a recreational gem for many people living in Porter and La Porte counties. The destruction and pollution caused by the railroad would take that away for the hundreds of people that enjoy the park every day. Additionaly, then proposed road crossings around the park could make driving to the park for residents an unacceptable hassle. 2. Currently, there are two railroad lines just a few miles south of Westville, and another to the north near the Indiana Toll Road exit - all crossing US 421. Frankly, it is a sick joke how the proposed split in the GLB plan slices and dices Westville twice more across US 421 - and even closer to the center of town. The loss in quality of life to everyone in Westville - especially from noise pollution - will be totally unacceptable. Any argument for this new railroad plan defies reason when there are already so many east-west lines crossing the region. The current railroad lines are not running at capacity. And it should not the job of the STB to decide winners and losers by approving a plan by one company so they can make a suppossed profit - at the expense of the people and communities along the route. 3. The effects on the prime and productive farmland along the proposed route are real and serious. Most of the existing railways in the region have been in place for 100 years or more. During that time, the farming industry has seen a tremendous upswing in productivity and the use of technology. Drainage and irrigation has gotten incredibly better - and farms along railroad routes have built their systems around the rail lines. They have had decades to adjust their programs. A new railroad means the farms along the route would be starting over from zero. And no amount of compensation from GLB would make up for the losses farms along the proposed route. Sincerely, John C. Mischke
Submitted by: John C Mischke · Westville, IN
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-25014 · back to the docket sheet