Comment EI-33835
Received or sent (printed as 4/1/2025)
A meticulous Environmental Impact Statement MUST be prepared for the proposed new rail line thru Burnet County because the rail line is a major Federal action significantly & negatively affecting the quality of human & wildlife environment. Per 42 USC 4331(a) §102 of NEPA, the OEA on behalf of the Surface Transportation Board is required to perform an Environmental Impact Statement to address the "acceptable levels" & potentially higher levels of contaminants in our rivers, streams, groundwater, pasture/farm land; noise of 1.25+ mile long trains carrying aggregate; potential for derailment & its horrific impact; destruction of wildlife feeding/nesting/birth areas; destruction of/damage to areas of cultural significance; destruction of/damage to heritage oak trees 100's of years old; violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 16 USC §703-711, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Code Title 5, Subtitle B, Chap. 64, & the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act; and the risk to structural foundations of homes &other buildings nearby as well as tremendous property devaluation. My family purchased land in Burnet 28+ years ago. Our blood, sweat & tears went to fencing, building a pole barn & storage & clearing just enough land for a home. We chose this area for its quiet, country lifestyle & to enjoy native birds/wildlife. We nurture native wildflowers that feed bees & Monarch & Queen butterflies. Our land has many live oaks that were in place when the Tonkawa & Lipan Apache tribes called it their home. We've found arrowheads, fossilized seashells from prehistoric times, & evidence of early settlers such as pottery & hand-forged nails. My 83yo mom lives quietly in her happy place but 1 greedy corporation is trying to void that peacefulness in order to lessen its expenses & profit more. This is unacceptable on many levels. We request a written response & EIS to address the lasting negative impact of this proposed new rail as it will destroy our tranquility. We urge it be stopped.
Submitted by: Kay Marley-Dilworth · Burnet, 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-33835 · back to the docket sheet