Comment EI-33441
Received or sent (printed as 4/25/2024)
I strongly oppose the construction of the proposed railroad. Some unintended consequences could include environmental impacts like water pollution, disturbance to aquatic life, and potential erosion of the shoreline. Additionally, a potential negative impact for building a railroad could be the fragmentation of wildlife habitats. When a railroad is constructed, it can disrupt the natural environment and migration patterns of animals, potentially leading to a loss of biodiversity in the area. The noise and vibrations from passing trains may disrupt the behavior and communication of nearby wildlife. Thirdly, during construction, the clearing of land and excavation can disturb the natural balance of soil, leading to increased erosion. This can result in sedimentation in nearby water bodies, which can negatively affect the aquatic ecosystems in our area. Finally, besides soil erosion and wildlife habitat fragmentation, the construction and operation of a railroad may contribute to an increase in air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. It's important to consider these unintended consequences before constructing a railroad near a residential area. For example, when the transcontinental railroad was built in 1863, the unintended consequences included the displacement of Native American tribes, the disruption of buffalo herds, and the spread of disease among workers and indigenous populations. Therefore, it's imperative to acknowledge and learn from these historical impacts and for history not to repeat itself.
Submitted by: Dr. Hector Leija · Eagle Pass, TX
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-36652/comment/EI-33441 · back to the docket sheet