Comment EI-33762
Received or sent (printed as 3/18/2025)
I am writing to express my firm opposition to the proposed rail line through Burnet County, Texas, particularly as it pertains to the alternate route near where it crosses Burnet CR 200 and its impact on my family’s land, which has been privately owned and carefully stewarded by my family for over a century. This project poses a significant threat to the livelihood of ranchers, the preservation of critical wildlife habitats, and the overall enjoyment and value of private land. The disruption it would bring is unacceptable, and I urge you to reconsider its path. Our ranch has supported the Texas tradition of cattle ranching for generations, and the rail line will disrupt essential ranching activities. Further, the proposed rail line will have a devastating impact on the fragile ecosystem in Burnet County, particularly on endangered and protected species such as the golden-cheeked warbler, and the red-tailed hawk; and other wildlife species. Our land provides an essential habitat for these birds, offering the dense oak and juniper woodlands necessary for nesting and survival. Fragmenting these habitats with a rail line could push already vulnerable species further toward decline. Additionally, increased noise pollution and human activity will disrupt natural behaviors, driving many species away from their nesting and hunting grounds. The increased noise from train operations will drastically reduce the peaceful environment we have enjoyed for generations. For those of us who use our land for recreation, hunting, and relaxation, the presence of a railroad will forever diminish our connection to our property. I strongly urge decision-makers to reconsider the devastating impact this proposed rail line will have on landowners, ranching operations, and the local environment. There are alternate solutions that do not sacrifice the livelihoods and heritage of families who have cared for this land for generations.
Submitted by: Richard Alan Maples · Fort Worth, 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-36815/comment/EI-33762 · back to the docket sheet