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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 05-1998 - Tabled .� � �„�.---- _'_'__'__�.._` \ r � � ��.�, � t� � ,_s..-` _,: . .. ..._._...,.__._.. ___ � ,_._ � .._ ,"'-^s^..+��:_�^....,./ RESOLUTION NO. 5-98 RESOLUTION FOR SUPPORT FOR THE DAKOTA, MINNESOTA AND EASTERN RAILROAD EXPANSION PROJECT WHEREAS, the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastem Railroad(DM&E)has embarked upon a$1.2 billion expansion project to build over 200 miles of new rail in South Dakota and Wyoming, and to completely rebuild over 600 miles of railroad in its existing right of way in South Dakota and Minnesota; and WHEREAS, the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad is a critical component of the transportation infrastructure in Brookings and the surrounding area, and WHEREAS, such expansion project will have profoundly positive economic and social impacts on the state and region; and WHEREAS, it is estimated that over 6,000 new construction jobs for a period of two years, and over 2,000 permanent jobs related exclusively to the operation of the raikoad, will be created in the tri-state area as a result of this project; and WHEREAS, this project is an historic opportunity for the state of South Dakota and the region; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Brookings, SD strongly endorses the DM&E project, and urges the Surface Transportation Board to expeditiously approve the DM&E's application. Passed and approved this 27�'day of January, 1998. Mayor ATTEST: Finance Officer January 18, 1998 Mayor Wayne Hauschild City Hall Brookings, SD ' Dear Wayne, I am writing to officially state my opposition to Dakota, Minnesota, & Eastern'�� proposed coal line through Wyoming, South �akota, and Minnesota. Since I don't think the media is presenting a balanced view �f the controversy, I am also sendinc� along some information from Mid-St�tes Coalition for Progress, a South Dakota an�l Wyoming group , which is providing a convincing argument against the DM&E line in �astern Wyoming and western South Dakota. Have you and the City Commission received this group's information package? If you haven't, please request one. There is some eye opening information in it about the proposed 30 to 40 coal trains that will be traveling through Brookings each day if this project rPceives ap�roval. There is also a question concerning what these trains would be hauling bacl: through our city to points west. Has the Reqister covered that one yet? Or the 30 to 4� trains? Ha! I have also included a copy of my letter to the Surface Trans��ortation Board as an example of how the proposed coal train will impact my property �nd quality of life. There are at least 130 more home owners and businesses along ti�a line in Brookings alone who wilt be experiencing the same problems. I do not beliPve that government on any level has addressed our concerns, and certainly not DM&E�. Where are the public meetings that DM&E promised? I'll tell you wherE they are: when lhey started having public meetings out West, DM&E quickly learned there was widespread opposition (once it was revealed that it was a coal line!) That brought an end to their promised public meetings. Thereafter, they only met with government officials. Before you and the�commission embrace this project further, you f�ad better calculate what the loss in taxes dollars will be from the severe devaluatian of residential and business property along the line. I don't think you can limit the property loss to just those homes and businesses that are adjacent to the railroad, either. The noise and pollution from 30 to 40 tr�ins a day is going to reverberate well beyond that first row of houses and businesses. Then there are the t��affic problems. I have much more to tell you and I am looking forward to visiting with you soon to relay other information. Thank you for listening and reading. Si rely 2C�� - Dave Walder - � s � January 16, 1998 Surtace Transportation Board Attn: Secretary 1925 K Street, Room 700 Washington, DC 20423-0001 � FD#33407 Dear Secretary: I am a concerned citizen whose property at 1308 LeGeros Drive, Brookings, South Dakota, borders the Dakota, Minnesota, & Eastern (DM&E) rail line which . passes through the middle of our city. The rail line is 48 feet from my south property line and only 143 feet from my dining room and bedrooms. Over 130 other homes in Brookings are locateci approximately the same distance from the DM&E track. I am writing the Surtace Transportation Board to state that I am unequivocally opposed to Dakota, Minnesota, & Eastern's controversial proposal to run a coal train from Wyoming's Powder River Basin coal fields to Winona, Minnesota. I will do everything in my power to stop ti�is unneeded and poorly conceived project. The projected 30 to 40 coal trains per day, traveling at 45 mph and passing within 143 feet of our home, would dramatically devalue my property and ruin my family's quality of life. Even now in the spring, summer, and fall when the wind is from the south, diesel fumes from the few DM&E trains that pass each day drift through our open windows and doors. I cannot imagine the unhealthy air quality that will be present day after day if this controversial project is allowed to proceed. Additionally, the roar of tf�e antiquated engines DM&E now uses would be multiplied many times as the 30 to 40 trains passed through our city on a daily basis. Normal family activities such as conversation, sitting in our beautiful backyard, watching television , listening to music, and reading would be seriously disrupted. Wl�en my mortgage is paid off in 2002, I will have made nearly twenty years of payments of more than $700 d�llars per month. But if the DM&E plan goes through, instead of having accumulated the property value my family and I deserve, our property values and those of more than 130 other homeowners along the DM&E tracks in Brookings will be greatly reduced. Of course, the problem is much bigger than just our city. 8rookings is just a microcosm of the woes that will be experienced by thousands of people in the small towns, cities, ranches, farms, and businesses along this questionable route. DM&E's narrow right of way was never intended for 21 st Century coal trains. It is not the modern wide corridor necessary to enable a coal train to co-exist with people and the environment. I am troubled and skeptical of a corpurate/shareholders' attitude which does not respect the rights of American citi�ens. � �: � -� - � � c� o ; � � S �-�- 1 c' o� �c�� � �, � November 17, 1997 Thank you for your willingness to write a letter of support concerning DM&E's expansion into the Wyoming Powder River Coal Basin. Your letter should be addressed to: The Honorable Linda Morgan Chairman, Surface Transportation Board 1825 K Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20423-0001 RE:Finance Docket No. 33407 - Powder River Basin Expansion Project The letter should indicate your support of the project, and indicate and urge that the Surface Transportation Board expedite its approval process. The support statement should include the benefits to our customers and how the benefits will affect you as an individual shipper. A few of the general points that may be included are as follows: * Substantially Improved Physical Plant * Faster/Safer Train Operations * Improved Car Turnaround Times/thereby effectively improving car supply * Increased Weight Carrying Capacity/Main Track will be 286,000 Gross Weight on Rail * Insuring future rail service in DM&E service territory * Energy savings with more efficient locomotives and larger, more efficient train size. Once the letter is completed, it should be sent to my attention for inclusion into our actual filing. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. ^ Sincerel , heldon E. Cotton Marketing Manager SEC:jeh�se��S�Pport> � �,�.� RESOLUTION �� DM&E RAILROAD PROJECT SUPPORT RESOLUTION Whereas the rebuilding and expansion of the DM&E railroad will provide profoundly improved transportation services to Rapid City and the region, Whereas the DM&E project will provide powerful economic development potential throughout its service azea, including Rapid City and the Black Hills area, Whereas the two-year construction phase and ongoing permanent operations will provide great opportunities for area contractors,merchants and a wide variety of businesses within DM&E service area, Whereas the thousands of construction jobs and thousands of direct, permanent jobs involved in this project aze high paying, good jobs that will have positive economic and social im acts for our trade area, P Whereas . the pro�ect involves exciting railroad opportunities in passenger service and tounsm development, Whereas completion of this project will result in turning a railroad another company attempted to abandon into one of the most successful railroads in the nation, resulting in the creation of the first Class I railroad in many decades, And whereas the railroad has worked responsibly to communicate openly with the public and landowners affected, It is hereby resolved that the Rapid City Economic Development Partnership wholeheartedly endorses the DM&E project, and It is further resolved that we shall undertake efforts to support and advance the project to its earliest completion. Dated this ,��,Q day of , 1997. RAPID CITY AREA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP By: its: � a,.�,i0,s.�- _ /�� �r� 2 � `"V� RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE DAKOTA, NII�iNESOTA & EASTERN RAILROAD EXPANSION PROJECT ,--_ WHEREAS, The Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad (DM&E) has embarked upon ' �"J a $1.2 billion expansion project to build over 200 miles of new rail in south Dakota and � Wyoming, and to completely rebuild over 600 miles of railroad in its existing right of way in , South Dakota and Minnesota; and � WHEREAS, such expansion project will have profoundly positive economic and social �; impacts on the state and region; and WHEREAS, the reconstituted DM&E -- combined with South Dakota's favorable tax structure -- will vastly improve service to existing customers and will provide a powerful economic development tool to attract new business to the state and region; and � WHEREAS, it is estimated that over 6,000 new construction jobs for a period of two years, and over 2,000 permanent jobs related exclusively to the operation of the railroad, will � be created in the tri-state area as a result of this project; and '���� 5,���ay�,�frastructure will be capable of handling passenger service � which the ai d committed to�p�'tyvide; and WHEREAS, at a recent meeting sponsored by the Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber members and the public had another opportunity to address these and other aspects of the project; and WHEREAS, at the Chamber meeting South Dakota Congressman John Thune, a member of the U.S. House Transportation committee and formerly South Dakota's Rail Director with a practical insight into the significance and all the implications of this project, displayed true leadership in strongly advocating the development of the project; and � WHEREAS, this project is an historic opportunity for the state of South Dakota and the �' region; and WHEREAS, of the three route corridors under consideration, the northern route would have the most lonQ term benefit to the City of Rapid City and to the communities to the north and west of Rapid City as a creator of jobs, both direct and indirect; rail passenger service and opportunities for business and industry who have and would in the future utilize rail transportation. WHEREAS, the chamber further encourages an upgraded connection to the existin� Rapid City to Colony, WY line from any route that may be selected. y NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee and its Board of Directors strongly supports the DM&E expansion project. DRAFT RESOLUTION DM&E RAILROAD PROJECT SUPPORT RESOLUTION C� Whereas the Dakota Minnesota & Eastern Railroad is a critical component of the transportation infrastructure in Mankato and the surrounding area , and Whereas the DM&E has proposed a 1 . 2 billion dollar capital expansion project to rebuild its present rail line across Minnesota and South Da�ota and access the coal fields of the Powder River basin in Wyoming, and Whereas the completion of this project will greatly enhance railroad services in the Mankato area , and Whereas the construction phase of this project will generate a positive economic impact for area contractors and merchants , and Whereas the long term effect of this project will result in the creation of numerous good paying jobs providing � definitive social and economic benefits to this area , ° ^\� � 5 r��tt � Now, therefore be it resolved thatQ�t�� taRty of 3� �� J y� � '1 �'^„c; �c} : ---" _• endorses this DM&E pr�O�ect, and Urges the Surface Transportation Board to expeditiously approve the DM&E ' s application.