Comment EI-25052
Received or sent (printed as 7/15/2016)
July 15, 2016 Dear Surface Transportation Board and Mr. Navecky: I urge you to consider the negative impacts that the proposed Great Lakes Basin Transportation proposal would have on the natural resources and wildlife habitat in Porter County, Ind., if the freight line is allowed to be constructed as proposed. My family and I own approximately 13 acres in Morgan Township, Porter County. With the exception of the homestead area and a farm access easement, our property is heavily wooded with a wetland area. It is our intention to maintain and preserve the property indefinitely in its natural state. We believe that our woods, in a small but meaningful way, contribute to the quality of life we enjoy in south Porter County. With neighboring property consisting mainly of single-family residences and farm fields, our woods provide a cover for an amazing diversity of wildlife. In addition to the more common species, such as deer and opossum, we have seen hawks, pheasants, wild turkey, and great-horned owls making their home in our woods. We have had a sighting of an Eastern Box turtle, which is an endangered species in Indiana. We also have had an unconfirmed sighting of an Eastern Massasauga, which is also an endangered species. Our woods provide a resting spot for a variety of migratory birds; we are fortunate to be visited each year by Eastern blue birds and rose-breasted grosbeaks, among other species. In addition to the animal life, our property provides a habitat for native plant life, including wild geranium and trillium. As proposed, the GLBT rail line would run less than one-half mile north of our property before turning southward and cutting through our woods. We believe very strongly that the presence of the freight lines, with the associated noise and vibration, would displace the wildlife and destroy the habitat we wish to preserve. The freight line would also disrupt, if not destroy, the associated recreational opportunities that our woods and the surrounding woods provide for birders, hunters, and people who like to walk and enjoy nature. We urged you to reject the Great Lakes Basin Transportation proposal. In turn, you will be helping us to preserve our wildlife habitat in south Porter County for the benefit of future generations. Thank you, Vicki Urbanik (legal name: Vicki Urbanik-Randall) 378 S 150 E Valparaiso, IN 46383
Submitted by: Vicki Urbanik-Randall · Valparaiso, Indiana
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-25052 · back to the docket sheet