Comment EI-33664
Received or sent (printed as 1/18/2025)
STB, 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 97402
Submitted by: Robin Bloomgarden · Eugene, OR
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.
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