FD 36818
Docket Yard · docketyard.org/d/FD-36818 · entries shown: all, newest first
CENTRAL OREGON & PACIFIC RAILROAD, INC. – LEASE AND OPERATION EXEMPTION INCLUDING INTERCHANGE COMMITMENT – UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY
Caption from the Board’s record.
23 filings, 3 decisions and 26 environmental comments observed here; last checked 10 Oct 2026, 22:36 UTC; last new entry 31 Aug 2026, 20:43 UTC.
Entries
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served (printed as 4/8/2025)Decision52501Entire Board(1) DENIED A REQUEST TO WAIVE THE LABOR NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER 49 C.F.R. § 1150.42(e), AS IT PERTAINS TO TWO LABOR UNIONS; AND (2) DENIED REQUESTS TO REJECT THE NOTICE OF EXEMPTION IN THIS PROCEEDING.
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(printed as 3/24/2025)StatementEdward Henry
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(printed as 3/3/2025)Statement309300Support StatementCentral Oregon & Pacific Railroad, Inc.
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(printed as 2/25/2025)Letter309263LetterCentral Oregon & Pacific Railroad, Inc.
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(printed as 2/13/2025)Rebuttal309224RebuttalBrotherhood of Railroad Signalmen
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(printed as 2/13/2025)Comments309221CommentsCentral Oregon & Pacific Railroad, Inc.
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(printed as 2/11/2025)Motion309210Petition For WaiverCentral Oregon & Pacific Railroad, Inc.
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(printed as 2/11/2025)Notice309209NoticeCentral Oregon & Pacific Railroad, Inc.
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served (printed as 2/7/2025)DecisionORDERED THAT: (1) CENTRAL OREGON & PACIFIC RAILROAD, INC. (CORP) SHALL SERVE A COPY OF ITS NOTICE OF INTENT TO UNDERTAKE A PROPOSED TRANSACTION ON THE BROTHERHOOD OF RAILROAD SIGNALMEN BY FEBRUARY 12, 2025, AND CERTIFY TO THE BOARD OF SERVICE THAT IT HAS DONE SO; AND (2) THE EXEMPTION WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE 60 DAYS AFTER CORP'S CERTIFIED COMPLIANCE TO THE BOARD.
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(printed as 2/6/2025)Comments309196CommentsPete Peterson
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(printed as 2/6/2025)Comments309195CommentsCharles R Knotts
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(printed as 2/6/2025)Comments309194CommentsStetson Horton
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(printed as 2/6/2025)Comments309193CommentsDaniel Bonfield
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(printed as 2/5/2025)Comments309192CommentsSMART--Oregon State Legislative Board
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(printed as 2/5/2025)Comments309191CommentsRobin Horton
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(printed as 2/5/2025)Comments309190CommentsDylan De Jaynes
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(printed as 2/5/2025)Comments309165CommentsCaleb Fetrow
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(printed as 2/5/2025)Comments309162CommentsEdward Henry
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(printed as 2/4/2025)Reply309173ReplyCentral Oregon & Pacific Railroad, Inc.
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(printed as 2/3/2025)Comments309168CommentsBrotherhood of Railroad Signalmen
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(printed as 2/3/2025)Motion309164PetitionSMART Transportation Division
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(printed as 1/31/2025)Comments309160CommentsHonorable Jule Fahey, Honorable James Manning, Jr., Honorable Lisa Fragala, Honorable Pat Farr, Honorable Nancy Nathanson, Honorable Floyd Prozanski, Honorable John Lively, and Honorable Randy Groves
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(printed as 1/31/2025)CommentEI-33690Tannya DevorakThe barber area has had for decades the works of many factories and environmental issues, the people that lives in this area develop many respiratory problems and the air is always horrible. Drain and suer can wake up people like me at night do the chemicals and now we are going to suffer to be exposed to the train carrying this kind of materials to? No! We must not. Also why is this information only getting to us in English when the majority of bethel school district is hispaninc? Make all voices count!!!Eugene, OR
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(printed as 1/31/2025)CommentEI-33689Kate MillsI am submitting this comment as I am deeply concerned about Union Pacific\'s plan to lease the Eugene railyard to the Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad (CORP). CORP’s employees lack the training, experience, and union protections of Union Pacific workers. As has been demonstrated time and time again, replacing skilled workers with less-experienced, non-union employees increases the risk of accidents and unsafe operations in our neighborhoods. Not only will leasing the railyard to CORP result in job losses for highly skilled workers, but it poses a threat to Eugene residents and environment. Notably, CORP’s mismanagement of the Coos Bay branch line shows a pattern of failure to maintain infrastructure and safeguard communities, with a track record demonstrating negligence in upholding safety, customer service, and environmental stewardship. Union Pacific’s unionized workers have the protections needed to push back against unsafe practices and hold the company accountable. CORP’s non-union employees won’t have the same ability to stand up for safety, leaving the door open for shortcuts and cost-cutting. Eugene residents deserve clean water, healthy soil, and safe communities, not increased pollution and weaker safety regulations. This is a dangerous lease, we need to prioritize public health and safety while preventing future disasters and contamination.Eugene, OR
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(printed as 1/31/2025)CommentEI-33688Mervyn DuddyCC: Parties of Record. The Trainsong neighborhood recently united to oppose and defeat an attempt to create a dangerous fuel transfer facility right across the street from its residential area. The planned Union Pacific lease to Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad is a further danger to Trainsong, as it will loosen legal liabilities for accidents such as toxic fuel leaks, dangerous air pollution and explosions that would place all residents in this narrow neighborhood in danger of ill-health, cancer and in the case of explosion, quite possibly death. This is nothing but a legal maneuver by Union Pacific to shift any future liability to a company that has less less legal exposure, and we, the homeowners and residents of Trainsong, are the people who will be left to suffer and/or die when the inevitable tragedies occur. Not only that, but Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad can simply declare bankruptcy and walk away, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill for damages and remediation. I own a property at 680 Bethel Drive that I rent to friends, and I have loved ones and other friends who live in the neighborhood, and this is nothing short of an existential crisis for everyone. This blatant attempt to escape responsibility and recompense for any disasters that may occur must not be allowed, particularly when it is literally across the street from a residential area.Eugene, OR
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(printed as 1/31/2025)CommentEI-33687Beyond ToxicsEmily Matlock · Eugene, OR
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(printed as 1/31/2025)CommentEI-33685Richard EnnisThe transfer of rail operations in Eugene, OR is nothing more than an attempt for an extremely profitable class 1 railroad operation to shift it\'s liability onto a class 3 railroad. This includes the liability to staffing the trains with highly trained unionized labor on the daily operation over the 28 mile system around Eugene. The potential of a catastrophic event that could damage the Oregon environment increases with less skilled and trained labor. This doesn\'t benefit the community or the residents of Eugene, it only benefits the Union Pacific share holders, who already enjoy substantial dividend returns today operating this terminal. I strongly oppose the transfer of the train operations at Eugene, OR from Union Pacific Railroad to Central Oregon Pacific Railroad.JANESVILLE, WI
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(printed as 1/31/2025)CommentEI-33683N/AI have concerns about community safety regarding Union Pacific’s filing for approval to lease property in Eugene, near my River Road property to Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad (CORP). The CORP’s employees lack the training, experience, and union protections of Union Pacific workers. It seems clear to me that skilled workers with less-experienced, non-union employees increases the risk of accidents and unsafe operations in our neighborhoods. CORP has a history of mis-management. CORP’s mismanagement of the Coos Bay branch line shows a pattern of failure to maintain infrastructure and safeguard communities. I has a track record of negligence in upholding safety, customer service, and environmental stewardship. A Class III railroad like CORP lacks the financial resources to respond to a disaster, leaving taxpayers to bear the cost. And the citizens will pay the price. Presently, Union Pacific’s unionized workers have the protections needed to push back against unsafe practices and hold the company accountable. However, CORP’s non-union employees won’t have the same ability to stand up for safety, leaving the door open for shortcuts and cost-cutting. The residents of the River Road and the Trainsong area deserve clean water, healthy soil, and safe communities, not increased pollution and weaker safety regulations. Therefore, we need to stop this dangerous lease. You need to prioritize public health and safety while preventing future disasters and contamination. CORP’s limited liability means taxpayers would be left paying for accidents and environmental cleanup. Please do NOT allow corporate profits to come before the well-being of our neighborhoods.Debra Higbee · Eugene, OR
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(printed as 1/30/2025)CommentEI-33682AlbertsonsDear members of the STB, I am greatly disturbed by the recent decision by corporate leaders of the Union Pacific Railroad to give control of the entire Eugene Yard to short line railroad CORP. The biggest concern I have is that if approved, the yard would be going from the highest safety standards to next to none, which will tremendously increase the chances of an East Palestine disaster occurring in my city and surrounding communities, because highly qualified unionized employees from UP will be laid off and replaced by employees with no experience who are not unionized and frankly have no business operating a yard as big as the Union Pacific Eugene Yard. There will be almost no inspection of trains for cars with defects, meaning one missed defect and an East Palestine disaster will occur in my community or surrounding communities, because there are many trains with hazardous and highly flammable cargo passing through on a daily basis. Union Pacific\'s corporate leaders are being reckless, and putting profits and their shareholders and investors ahead of safety. It will also make the jobs of the long haul train crews much more dangerous. For the safety of our communities and for Union Pacific employees, I urge you to deny the transfer of the Eugene Yard to CORP, and prevent another East Palestine disaster from occurring in our communities.Josh Emmons · Eugene, OR
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(printed as 1/30/2025)CommentEI-33681Danny SolizKlamath falls, OR
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(printed as 1/30/2025)CommentEI-33680Lisa BuschoCORP has a track record that demonstrates negligence in upholding safety, customer service, and environmental stewardship. Their profit over people reputation would change Eugene into another statistic of an unsafe city with poor quality of life to those who live here. CORP’s desire to make money by replacing skilled workers with less-experienced, non-union employees, just increases our risk of hazardous accidents and unsafe operations all going on in OUR neighborhood. We do NOT want this or them here!Eugene, OR
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(printed as 1/30/2025)CommentEI-33676Tamara WilhiteJan 30, 2025 To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to oppose the lease of the railyard that is operated by Union Pacific in Eugene, OR to Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad (COPR). They are not classified or trained to handle toxic materials that will be transported through the Trainsong area. COPR’s mismanagement of the Coose Bay site demonstrates a poor track record when safeguarding the public’s health and safety. Union Pacific is currently tasked with groundwater cleanup in Eugene. Will COPR follow through and continue the cleanup? If a disaster did occur, would COPR have the financial resources to clean it up? Our god daughter and her family live next to the tracks in this area and we are concerned with the effects of inadequate safety protections on her health and safety. Please prohibit this lease from going through and protect our neighborhood. Sincerely, Tamara WilhiteEugene, OR
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(printed as 1/28/2025)CommentEI-33677Andrew SimrinEugene, OR
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(printed as 1/28/2025)CommentEI-33673Gia PulI am writing because I am concerned about the leasing of UP yard and local operations to CORP, and I am asking for you to deny this decision. Replacing experienced class 1 employees with less experienced employees with a more lax rule set puts the surrounding communities at increased risk in the case of derailments and accidents, at a yard where hazmat is handled. I also find it very concerning that another railroad in Oregon owned by CORP\'s parent company G&W recently had a bridge collapse under a train in Corvallis, resulting in a spill of fertilizer into the marys river. I think the STB should take this incident into account before letting UP contract this service out to a G&W company, and ask whether this move will really benefit customers when CORP is inexperienced in running a yard of this size, and has less resources than UP.Eugene, OR
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(printed as 1/28/2025)CommentEI-33672Alison ColuccioI am writing in opposition to the exemption from regulation of the lease of Union Pacific\'s trainyard and operations of the Rail Line in Eugene, Springfield and Marcola, OR and the Coos Bay Industrial Lead to Central Oregon & Pacific. As these Rail Lines cross the Willamette River and other significant areas of environmental concern, such as the West Eugene Wetlands, the potential impacts of unsafe operation on degrading infrastructure are enormous. Two recent local accidents by Portland & Western highlight the safety concerns of non-Class I operations: January 4, 2025 trestle collapse in Corvallis, OR releasing two car\'s worth of urea into the Mary\'s River and the fatal accident on Nov 1, 2024 which crushed to death, Colton Brant, 29 years old, when a log car derailed in Eugene. Given the context of these recent disasters, I ask that the exemption from regulation of this lease not be permitted. Skill and adequate numbers of personnel, as required for Class I operation, must be retained to safely maintain track and manage the extremely dangerous loads and routes passing through the Eugene community and surrounding environment. The consequences of failure are too great: impacting tourism, groundwater, the hunting and fishing industries, and the numerous businesses served by the railways and the river and wetlands. CC: Parties of RecordEugene, OR
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(printed as 1/26/2025)CommentEI-33671tyler yrineoTo the Surface Transportation Board, I strongly oppose Union Pacific’s proposal to lease operations of the Eugene railyard to CORP, a Class III railroad company. The replacement of skilled, unionized workers with less-experienced, non-union employees poses a significant safety risk. CORP’s history of poor management, such as on the Coos Bay branch line, demonstrates negligence in maintaining infrastructure and safeguarding communities. Additionally, Class III railroads lack the financial resources to handle disasters involving hazardous materials, leaving taxpayers to bear the cleanup costs. This proposal jeopardizes community safety and environmental stewardship, and I urge the STB to reject it. Sincerely, tyler yrineoEugene, OR
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(printed as 1/21/2025)StatementLin Woodrich
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(printed as 1/20/2025)CommentCommunity Safety Comes First CORP’s employees lack the training, experience, and union protections of Union Pacific workers. Replacing skilled workers with less-experienced, non-union employees increases the risk of accidents and unsafe operations in our neighborhoods. Protect Eugene’s Water and Soil Union Pacific is responsible for ongoing groundwater cleanup efforts in Eugene. Will CORP take on this responsibility, or will they abandon these critical environmental protections like they did in Coos Bay? Don’t Let History Repeat Itself CORP’s mismanagement of the Coos Bay branch line shows a pattern of failure to maintain infrastructure and safeguard communities. CORP\'s track record demonstrates negligence in upholding safety, customer service, and environmental stewardship. Avoid Another East Palestine Disaster The risk of accidents involving hazardous materials increases when safety standards are cut. A Class III railroad like CORP lacks the financial resources to respond to a disaster, leaving taxpayers to bear the cost. Stop Corporations from Skirting Safety Regulations Union Pacific’s unionized workers have the protections needed to push back against unsafe practices and hold the company accountable. CORP’s non-union employees won’t have the same ability to stand up for safety, leaving the door open for shortcuts and cost-cutting. Stand Up for Our Health and Environment Eugene residents deserve clean water, healthy soil, and safe communities, not increased pollution and weaker safety regulations. This is a dangerous lease, we need to prioritize public health and safety while preventing future disasters and contamination! Corporations Must Take Responsibility Union Pacific has the resources to address liability issues. CORP’s limited liability means taxpayers would be left paying for accidents and environmental cleanup. We can’t allow corporate profits to come before the well-being of our neighborhoods.Andrea DiPalma · Eugene, OR
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(printed as 1/20/2025)CommentEI-33662Sarah MazzeI am writing to ask that you do not allow the lease agreement that would allow a Class III Rail Road Company managing operations throughout the Eugene-Springfield-Marcola and other Lane County yards. My family and I live less than a mile from the railyard, as do other friends and family and I am highly concerned about: - Flammable and explosive fuels being handled at the Eugene railyard by a Class III railroad company and the risks of fire and potential for catastrophic disaster because of the busy train schedule at the Eugene yard and the frequent passage of chemical rail cars through our neighborhoods (i.e., chlorine and anhydrous ammonia). - The fact that Class II and III railroads have limited liability in the case of an accidental spill, fire or chemical accident. - Class II and III railroads do not require sufficient training of their workers, making a spill or accident even more likely. - This deal would lead to 40 union employees being replaced by 20 non-union workers, again increasing the likelihood of an accident, as fewer people will have less capacity to ensure safety. - The CORP’s mismanagement of the Coos Bay branch line shows a pattern of failure to maintain infrastructure and safeguard communities. - The CORP\'s track record demonstrates negligence in upholding safety, customer service, and environmental stewardship. Again, I urge you, please do not set up one of Oregon\'s major metropolitan areas for disaster. Deny the lease. Thank you.Eugene, OR
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(printed as 1/18/2025)CommentEI-33664Robin BloomgardenSTB, Union Pacific, a Class I railroad that currently owns and operates the railyard and tracks in Eugene, Oregon has filed for approval to lease this property to Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad (CORP), a Class III operation. Union Pacific’s SMART Transportation Division union members expressed concern about this transition, and oppose the lease, as it will impact the quality of maintenance of the railroad. Union Pacific employs highly skilled union workers, whereas CORP is not held to this same standard. Union Pacific railroad employees handle railcars full of toxic materials on a daily basis. Union Pacific has also been responsible for ongoing groundwater cleanup efforts in Eugene for many years. CORP’s mismanagement of the Coos Bay branch line shows a pattern of failure to maintain infrastructure and safeguard communities. A Class III railroad like CORP lacks the financial resources to prevent, OR respond to a disaster, leaving taxpayers to bear the costs and health risks. This is not acceptable! Will the non-union CORP management take on the responsibility of protecting their own employees, and Eugene’s citizens, water and soil, or will they abandon these critical environmental protections like they did in Coos Bay, a much smaller operation? It is critical that Class I standards be upheld at this railyard, no matter WHO operates it, and preferably a company with a stellar safety record! This is a dangerous lease: we need to prioritize public health and safety while preventing future disasters and contamination in the middle of our city! DENY this request for approval! Robin Bloomgarden 3690 Wood Ave Eugene, OR 97402Eugene, OR
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(printed as 1/17/2025)CommentEI-33668Coast Fork Press, LLCPlease be notified that my concern with the leasing of the Union Pacific Yard in Eugene to CORP surrounds the capability of CORP to be responsible for any toxic clean-up or liability lawsuits connected to any possible spill from a derailment. My residence is within 1/4 of a mile of the yard and my neighborhood would be greatly affected by a spill or resulting fire from a derailment. The responsibility of the cleanup and associated legal matters must be held by the leasee (Union Pacific Classs I RR) as the lessor (CORP ClassIII) does not appear to have the financial resources to assume such responsibility. I strongly urge that language in the lease must include phrasing which clearly states Union Pacific\'s role and responsibility in the event of a public safety or environmental disaster.Louis J Wentz · Eugene, OR
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(printed as 1/17/2025)CommentEI-33667Todd ReedI oppose the USD fuel transfer project proposed for the Eugene Union Pacific rail yard. A Class III railroad has insufficient resources to deal effectively with the ongoing fuel and hazardous materials passing through Eugene daily. - CORP’s employees lack the training, experience, and union protections of Union Pacific workers. - Replacing skilled workers with less-experienced, non-union employees increases the risk of accidents and unsafe operations in our neighborhoods. - Union Pacific is responsible for ongoing groundwater cleanup efforts in Eugene. - Will CORP take on this responsibility, or will they abandon these critical environmental protections like they did in Coos Bay? - CORP’s mismanagement of the Coos Bay branch line shows a pattern of failure to maintain infrastructure and safeguard communities. - CORP\'s track record demonstrates negligence in upholding safety, customer service, and environmental stewardship. - The risk of accidents involving hazardous materials increases when safety standards are cut. - A Class III railroad like CORP lacks the financial resources to respond to a disaster, leaving taxpayers to bear the cost.Eugene, OR
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(printed as 1/17/2025)CommentEI-33666Christina Prier SteffyI am concerned about Union Pacific\'s (UP\'s) plan to lease the rail yard operations in Eugene, Springfield, Marcola, and sections of the Coos Line to Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad (CORP), a Class III railroad, Class II and III railroads do not hire union workers, and do not require sufficient training of their workers. A Class I rail company such as UP employs union workers who are trained in rail yard operations and track maintenance, train handling, and emergencies. UP also has the revenue to deal with a clean-up, damage, or other kinds of problems at the railyard or the associated tracks, which is important because UP is already responsible for ongoing groundwater cleanup efforts around the rail yard in Eugene. As a resident of a nearby neighborhood, I am concerned that leasing operations to a smaller, non-union company might put clean up at risk, damage the local labor market, and increase the risk of future spills and accidents. Obviously, the risk of accidents involving hazardous materials increases when safety standards are cut, and a Class III railroad like CORP lacks the financial resources to respond to a disaster, leaving taxpayers to bear the cost. CORP’s mismanagement of the Coos Bay branch line shows a pattern of failure to maintain infrastructure and safeguard communities, so they should not be given control over another rail yard.Eugene, OR
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(printed as 1/17/2025)CommentEI-33665Jocelyn PrierI am concerned about Union Pacific\'s (UP\'s) plan to lease the rail yard operations in Eugene, Springfield, Marcola, and sections of the Coos Line to Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad (CORP), a Class III railroad, Class II and III railroads do not hire union workers, and do not require sufficient training of their workers. A Class I rail company such as UP employs union workers who are trained in rail yard operations and track maintenance, train handling, and emergencies. UP also has the revenue to deal with a clean-up, damage, or other kinds of problems at the railyard or the associated tracks, which is important because UP is already responsible for ongoing groundwater cleanup efforts around the rail yard in Eugene. As a resident of a nearby neighborhood, I am concerned that leasing operations to a smaller, non-union company might put clean up at risk, damage the local labor market, and increase the risk of future spills and accidents. Obviously, the risk of accidents involving hazardous materials increases when safety standards are cut, and a Class III railroad like CORP lacks the financial resources to respond to a disaster, leaving taxpayers to bear the cost. CORP’s mismanagement of the Coos Bay branch line shows a pattern of failure to maintain infrastructure and safeguard communities, so they should not be given control over another rail yard.Eugene, OR
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(printed as 1/17/2025)CommentI am concerned about the replacement of Union Pacific (Class I Railroad) workers with workers from CORPs (Class III Railroad). Because the railyard is near an urban location and affects several neighborhoods, it is not appropriate to use workers who are not as experienced. Because of the recent derailment in Corvallis, Oregon under the management of a Class II railroad, I am very concerned. There are many reasons and questions not to substitute qualified workers for less qualified personnel, some of which are as follows: - CORP’s employees lack the training, experience, and union protections of Union Pacific workers. - Replacing skilled workers with less-experienced, non-union employees increases the risk of accidents and unsafe operations in our neighborhoods. - Union Pacific is responsible for ongoing groundwater cleanup efforts in Eugene. - Will CORP take on this responsibility, or will they abandon these critical environmental protections like they did in Coos Bay? - CORP’s mismanagement of the Coos Bay branch line shows a pattern of failure to maintain infrastructure and safeguard communities. - CORP\'s track record demonstrates negligence in upholding safety, customer service, and environmental stewardship. - The risk of accidents involving hazardous materials increases when safety standards are cut. - A Class III railroad like CORP lacks the financial resources to respond to a disaster, leaving taxpayers to bear the cost. PLEASE VALUE SAFETY AND UNION JOBS FOREMOST OVER CORPORATE PROFITS! Sincerely, Juliet A. ThompsonJuliet Thompson · Eugene, OR
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(printed as 1/17/2025)CommentEI-33660SUSAN FORSTERUnion Pacific Railroad is planning to lease the management of their rail yards in Eugene, Springfield, Marcola and sections of the Coos Line to Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad (CORP), a Class III railroad. Class II and III railroads have limited liability in the case of an accidental spill, fire or chemical accident. These small companies do not hire union workers, and do not require sufficient training of their workers. - CORP’s employees lack the training, experience, and union protections of Union Pacific workers. - Replacing skilled workers with less-experienced, non-union employees increases the risk of accidents and unsafe operations in our neighborhoods. - Union Pacific is responsible for ongoing groundwater cleanup efforts in Eugene. - Will CORP take on this responsibility, or will they abandon these critical environmental protections like they did in Coos Bay? - CORP’s mismanagement of the Coos Bay branch line shows a pattern of failure to maintain infrastructure and safeguard communities. - CORP\'s track record demonstrates negligence in upholding safety, customer service, and environmental stewardship. - The risk of accidents involving hazardous materials increases when safety standards are cut. - A Class III railroad like CORP lacks the financial resources to respond to a disaster, leaving taxpayers to bear the cost.EUGENE, OR
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(printed as 1/16/2025)CommentGreetings, Please include my thoughts on the record as being opposed to certain changes of practice at the Eugene, Springfield, Marcola and any other nearby railyards. My understanding is a change from a class 1 to class 3 ownership will mean less liability for the new owners in case of accidents and less training and less staff to oversee the rail yard. There could be an increased likelihood that mis handling hazardous materials will affect nearby neighborhoods. I live in River Road Neighborhood, the rail yard is already a problem, it doesnt need to be a bigger danger. I am opposed to the lease and contract changeover from UP to CORP. Thank you, Jan Spencer Resident of River Road NeighborhoodJan Spencer · Eugene, OR
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(printed as 1/16/2025)CommentEI-33658Wendy FriedmanI oppose the proposed refueling station in the Eugene Railyard. I live close to the rail yard and do NOT want to risk accidents involving hazardous materials. I\'m also concerned A Class III railroad like CORP lacks the financial resources to respond to a disaster, leaving taxpayers to bear the cost. No to a refueling station in the Eugene railyard!Eugene, OR
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(printed as 1/16/2025)CommentEI-33657Leah RosinDear STB Members: I am writing you as a concerned citizen of Eugene, to oppose the leasing of the Eugene rail yard operations to Coos Line to Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad (CORP). I live within 5 miles of the rail yard and my child’s school is just a little over a mile away. With the recent derailment of two cars carrying urea fertilizer into the Mary’s River near Philomath, we have just seen a glimpse of the potential risk this transfer has. Because the current rail yard operators are Class I Railroad, the employees are well trained to monitor track conditions, be aware of risky/hazardous/flammable cargo, and have long experience in doing so. They also have Union protection should they need to speak up about risky behavior or operations. It is my understanding, that as a Class III Railroad, CORP employees are non-union and if they take over operations in this area they will lack experience with these tracks and this site, along with lacking the same specific safety training the UP rail yard employees have. Experience managing this infrastructure is something that is learned over time. Handing it off to new employees without that earned knowledge is a risk to the environment and health and safety of our city. In addition to the lack of experience and safety risk this change will bring, Union Pacific has ongoing groundwater cleanup efforts in Eugene. Will CORP take on the responsibility? From what has been seen in Coos Bay, where they abandoned the projects, I’m not reassured. Why is this happening? Greed. It’s that simple. Corporate profits are weighing out over environmental safety, and above loyal employees and their jobs. CORP’s track record demonstrates negligence in upholding safety, customer service, and environmental stewardship. I urge you to decline this lease and contract change-over from Union Pacific to CORP.EUGENE, OR
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served (printed as 12/20/2024)DecisionPROVIDED NOTICE THAT CENTRAL OREGON & PACIFIC RAILROAD, INC. FILED A NOTICE OF EXEMPTION TO LEASE FROM UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY AND OPERATE APPROXIMATELY 27.58 MILES RAIL LINE IN OREGON.
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(printed as 12/12/2024)NoticeInternational Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, Transportation Division
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(printed as 12/10/2024)Notice308988Notice Of ExemptionCentral Oregon & Pacific Railroad, Inc.
Nothing of that kind in this docket.