Comment EI-33683
Received or sent (printed as 1/31/2025)
I 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.
Submitted by: Debra Higbee · N/A · 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.
Permanent address docketyard.org/d/FD-36818/comment/EI-33683 · back to the docket sheet