Comment EI-32621
Received or sent (printed as 10/14/2022)
This environmental impact statement ignores virtually all of the impacts citizens will feel as a result of this merger. With a 500% increase in train traffic, 500% increase in pollution, 500% increase in noise, 500% increase in train-related traffic congestion, not to mention 500% increases in risk of collisions as well as derailments and associated hazardous waste spills, there is virtually nothing studied which analyzes the real-world impacts to the citizenry of Excelsior Springs. Property values will inevitably decrease as a result of such a huge increase in traffic, and quality of life for a significant % of citizens will also decrease. We need an impact study that analyzes REAL WORLD IMPACTS TO THE PEOPLE THIS MERGER WILL NEGATIVELY AFFECT, as well as proposed solutions for mitigating these risk factors. It's nice that you figured out 60,000 less trucks will travel US highways as a result, but those 60k trucks aren't going through our town, or any other town affected by this merger, but these trains will! It is either grossly myopic or willfully callous not to consider the human impacts this change will have, and we demand there be a "human impact study" that includes potential mitigation actions these multi-billion dollar rail corporations can provide to minimize negative consequences to the citizenry. Small towns like ours often have a less empowered/educated populace, whose interests are woefully under-represented, and this is exactly how it appears with this issue. We see ZERO potential benefits to us, yet the negative effects will be life-altering to many. It would be nice if the regulating agencies actually approached this issue from a "human impact" approach as much as a 30,000 foot "environmental" one. If it means getting another agency involved, then so be it. It seems painfully obvious who this merger benefits and who it costs. Maybe it's time someone besides the small town, ignored & forgotten average citizen be required to pay the price.
Submitted by: Douglas Hauser · Excelsior Springs, MO
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-36500/comment/EI-32621 · back to the docket sheet