Comment EI-25551
Received or sent (printed as 11/7/2016)
I am writing to express my sincere concern regarding the proposed Great Lakes Basin Railrood which would travel through Winnebago County, Illinois. GLB is proposing 200 foot easements with 50 feet allowed for utilities. This proposal includes up to 100 trains per day of unknown length traveling at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. This proposed route would cut through prime farmland and negatively impact property values, drainage, irrigation and soil. It will also close off many streets, creating slower response times for our police, fire and emergency medical teams. In addition, I fear the freight could endanger our water supply and contaminate our aquifers should a spill occur. Of course, in the event of a detrailment, lives would be at risk as well as our food and water supply and the environment. These risks come without benefit to the residents of Winnebago County. According to the GLB website, this proposed private toll railroad is designed to expedite freight movements across the nation and to provide additional capacity for growing railroad traffic". However, it is not supported by the Chicago Regional Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program, a partnership between the US Department of Transportation, the State of Illinois, City of Chicago, Metra, Amtrak and the nations freight railroads. How is it then that a private company can use eminent domain for their personal gain? The opposition amongst impacted counties and concerned citizens is clear. Please protect the environment and the impacted land owners but rejecting this proposal FD 35952. Sincerely, Cynthia Hall"
Submitted by: Cynthia Hall
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-25551 · back to the docket sheet