DMATS - Mayor Oppose RR Docket
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EAST CENTRAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL ASSOCIATION
A. Regiol'iaJ Response to Local Needs
June 12,2006
Vernon A. Williams, Secretary
Surface Transportation Board
1925 K Street NW, Room 700
Washington, D.C. 20006
Suite 200
3999 Pennsylvania Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52002
RE: Finance Docket No. 34177
Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad, Acquisition and Operation Exemption
Lines of the IMRL
Finance Docket No. 34178
Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad and Cedar American Holdings
Control ofIowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad
Dear Secretary Williams:
The Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (DMATS) supports the
City of Dubuque' s opposition to Petition ofIowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad
Corporation to reopen and partially modify conditions of the aforementioned dockets.
Specifically we oppose the request to modify the conditions issued in 2002 by the Surface
Transportation Board (STB) that prohibits ".. . any trains moving to or from the line
approved for new construction in DM&E construction over are now IMRL lines until we
(DM&E) have conducted appropriate environmental review and issued a further decision
permitting such operations." A copy of the City of Dubuque' s petition is enclosed.
DMATS, a multi-state and multi-jurisdictional Metropolitan Planning
Organization for the region, requests that the STB deny the petition to waiver the
conditions as originally issued in the 2002 decision. It is our understanding the STB's
original intent of the IC&E routing restriction was to ensure full environmental study of
the impacts which could be expected from allowing coal traffic onto a route passing
through Dubuque and other Iowa communities. It has only been until very recently that
any discussion has taken place with the DM&E about their intentions to ronte coal traffic
and the impact it would have on our region. Rather than discussing the situation with
Iowa communities opening, the DM&E has filed a waiver request seeking relief from the
environmental review condition so it may proceed with obtaining the financing needed to
construct new lines and to provide assurances to its new customers.
This waiver request not only impacts the City of Dubuque but also impacts the
rail corridor throughout Iowa along the Mississippi River and those communities on the
rail corridor In our region and up down the Mississippi. Impacted communities in both
Illinois and Wisconsin such as East Dubuque and Prairie Du Chien should also be taken
PHONE (563) 556-4166 IOWA ONLY (800) 942-4648 FAX (563) 556-0348 E-MAIL ecia@ecia.org WEB SITE www.ecia.org
.. Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation Study. Eastern Iowa Regional Development Corporation.
. Eastern Iowa Regional Utility Services System. Eastern Iowa Housing Authority .. ECIA Business Growth, Inc. ..
.. Renion I Emnloument and Trainino" ECIA Reoional Planninn Affiliation" Rp.ninn .R Rl'minn~1 Tr:tncdt Authnritu..
Page 2
June 12, 2006
Surface Transportation Board Petition Opposition
into consideration as to the impacts they will experience from the DM&E coal train
traffic. While they may not directly experience increase coal train traffic depending on
the train routing, they will experience delays in their regular freight traffic as more trains
are using the lines. East Dubuque currently has 96 trains per day passing through their
community. Additional train traffic and delays will have serious impacts to this
community. The City of Dubuque currently averages 18 trains in a 24-hour period with
delays up to 21 minutes. Additional train traffic will isolate the Port of Dubuque area,
home to a $188 million project, and severely impact emergency vehicle access.
Finally, since 2002 the DM&E has received its directives on the appropriate steps
necessary to protect the environment and safety of these communities, but has taken few
steps to initiate dialog with other potentially impacted communities related to the
aforementioned petition filing. Additionally, the DM&E petition does not specify what
amount of train traffic might move from the DM&E mainline onto the IC&E line
impacting Dubuque and other communities in our multi-state region.
DMA TS urges you to preserve the measures put in place by the STB in 2002 and
deny the waiver request of the DM&E and for fairness to those communities that may be
affected by the DM&E routing, require a full environmental study be conducted.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter. If you have questions
regarding this filing, please contact me at 563-588-4265, or Kelley Deutmeyer, Executive
Director at 563-556-4166.
S~y/) .<L/
May~oy D. Buol
Chairperson
Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (DMA TS)
enc.
cc: DMA TS Policy Board Members
Fred Dean, Iowa Dept. of Transportation
Steward Sandstrom, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce
Jerry Enzler, National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
Terry Goodman, National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
Bill Baum, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Page 2
June 12, 2006
Surface Transportation Board Petition Opposition
into consideration as to the impacts they will experience from the DM&E coal train
traffic. While they may not directly experience increase coal train traffic depending on
the train routing, they will experience delays in their regular freight traffic as more trains
are using the lines. East Dubuque currently has 96 trains per day passing through their
community. Additional train traffic and delays will have serious impacts to this
community. The City of Dubuque currently averages 18 trains in a 24-hour period with
delays up to 21 minutes. Additional train traffic will isolate the Port of Dubuque area,
home to a $188 million project, and severely impact emergency vehicle access.
Finally, since 2002 the DM&E has received its directives on the appropriate steps
necessary to protect the environment and safety of these communities, but has taken few
steps to initiate dialog with other potentially impacted communities related to the
aforementioned petition filing. Additionally, the DM&E petition does not specify what
amount of train traffic might move from the DM&E mainline onto the IC&E line
impacting Dubuque and other communities in our multi-state region.
DMATS urges you to preserve the measures put in place by the STB in 2002 and
deny the waiver request of the DM&E and for fairness to those communities that may be
affected by the DM&E routing, require a full environmental study be conducted.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter. If you have questions
regarding this filing, please contact me at 563-588-4265, or Kelley Deutmeyer, Executive
Director at 563-556-4166.
Si2Y~ .L;
Mayo'?Roy D. Buol
Chairperson
Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (DMATS)
enc.
cc: DMATS Policy Board Members
Fred Dean, Iowa Dept. of Transportation
Steward Sandstrom, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce
Jerry Enzler, National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
Terry Goodman, National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
Bill Baum, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
f
Senator Charles Grassley
Senator Tom Harkin
Congressman Jim Nussle
Iowa Legislators
Wisconsin Legislators
Illinois Legislators
EAST CENTRAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL ASSOCIATION
/4 If:egicma! l?eSpfJHSe to Lf'Jcal Needs
"
Suite 200
3999 Pennsylvania Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52002
June 12,2006
A copy of the attached letter was sent to the following State Senators and
Representatives.
IA State Representative Polly Bukta
IA State Representative Pam Jochum
IA State Representative Steve Lukan
IA State Representative Patrick Murphy
IA State Representative Tom Schueller
IA State Senator Mike Connolly
IA State Senator Tom Hancock
IA State Senator Brian Schoenjahn
IA State Senator Roger Stewart
IL State Senator Todd Sieben
IL State Representative Jim Sacia
WI State Senator Dale Schultz
WI State Representative Gabe Loeffelholz
PHONE (563) 556-4166 IOWA ONLY (800) 942-4648 FAX (563) 556-0348 E-MAIL ecia@ecia.org WEB SITE www.ecia.org
. Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation Study. Eastern Iowa Regional Development Corporation .
. Eastern Iowa Regional Utility Services System' Eastern Iowa Housing Authority. ECIA Business Growth, Inc. .
. Region I Employment and Training' ECIA Regional Planning Affiliation' Region 8 Regional Transit Authority .
EAST CENTRAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL ASSOCIATION
A Regional Response to Local Needs
,
Suite 200
3999 Pennsylvania Avenue
Dubuque. IA 52002
June 12,2006
Dear State Representative/State Senator
RE: Finance Docket No. 34177
Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad, Acquisition and Operation Exemption
Lines of the IMRL
Finance Docket No. 34178
Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad and Cedar American Holdings
Control of Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad
Dear Senator Stewart or Representative Pat Murphy: ETC.
Enclosed please find copies of correspondence to the Surface
Transportation Board from the Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation Study
(DMATS), supporting the City of Dubuque's opposition to Petition ofIowa, Chicago &
Eastern Railroad Corporation to reopen and partially modify conditions of the
aforementioned dockets. A copy of the City of Dubuque' s petition is also enclosed.
We respectfully request your attention to this matter as it directly affects many
Iowa communities. Anything you can do to assist our efforts would be greatly
appreciated.
We ask that you support DMATS and the City of Dubuque in urging the STB to
preserve the measures put in place by the STB in 2002 and deny the waiver request of the
DM&E and for fairness to those communities that may be affected by the DM&E
routing, require a full environmental study be conducted.
PHONE (563) 556-4166 IOWA ONLY (800) 942-4648 FAX (563) 556-0348 E-MAil ecia@ecia.org WEB SITE www.ecia.org
. Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation Study. Eastern Iowa Regional Development Corporation.
. Eastern Iowa Regional Utility Services System' Eastern Iowa Housing Authority. ECIA Business Growth, Ine. .
. Region I Employment and Training' ECIA Regional Planning Affiliation' Region 8 Regional Transit Authority .
Page 2
June 12, 2006
Surface Transportation Board Petition
Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter. If you have questions
regarding this filing, please contact me at 563-588-4265 or Kelley Deutmeyer, Executive
Director at 563-556-4166.
S2'
May~;! f;d
Chairperson
Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (DMATS)
enc.
cc: DMATS Policy Board Members
Fred Dean, Iowa Dept. of Transportation
Steward Sandstrom, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce
Jerry Enzler, National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
Terry Goodman, National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
Bill Baum, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
.
EAST CENTRAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL ASSOCIATION
A Regio;naf ReSp(![UH~ to Local Needs
June 12,2006
Suite 200
3999 Pennsylvania Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52002
A copy of the attached letter was sent to the following State Senators and
Representatives.
IA Congressman Jim Leach
IA Congressman Jim Nussle
IA US Senator Charles Grassley
IA US Senator Tom Harkin
IL Congressman Donald Manzullo
IL US Senator Obama Barack
IL US Senator Richard Durbin
WI Congressman Ron Kind
WI US Senator Russell Feingold
WI US Senator Herbert Kohl
PHONE (S63) 556-4166 IOWA ONLY (800) 942-4648 FAX (563) 556-0348 E-MAIL ecia@ecia.org WEB SITE www.ecia.org
. Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation Study. Eastern Iowa Regional Development Corporation.
. Eastern Iowa Regional Utility Services System. Eastern Iowa Housing Authority. ECIA Business Growth, Inc. .
. Region I Employment and Training. ECIA Regional Planning Affiliation. Region 8 Regional Transit Authority .
,
EAST CENTRAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL ASSOCIATION
A Regional Response to Local Needs
June 12,2006
Suite 200
3999 Pennsylvania Avenue
Dubuque, IA S2002
RE: Finance Docket No, 34177
Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad, Acquisition and Operation Exemption
Lines of the IMRL
Finance Docket No. 34178
Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad and Cedar American Holdings
Control of Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad
Dear Congressman/Senator
Enclosed please find copies of correspondence to the Surface
Transportation Board from the Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation Study
(DMATS), supporting the City of Dubuque's opposition to Petition ofIowa, Chicago &
Eastern Railroad Corporation to reopen and partially modify conditions of the
aforementioned dockets. A copy of the City of Dubuque' s petition is also enclosed.
We respectfully request your attention to this matter as it directly affects or in
some cases may indirectly affect many Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois communities.
Anything you can do to assist our efforts would be greatly appreciated.
We ask that you support DMATS and the City of Dubuque in urging the STB to
preserve the measures put in place by the STB in 2002 and deny the waiver request of the
DM&E and for fairness to those communities that may be affected by the DM&E
routing, require a full enviromnental study be conducted.
PHONE (563) 556-4166 IOWA ONLY (800) 942-4648 FAX (563) 556-0348 E-MAIL ecia@ecia.org WEB SITE www.ecia.org
. Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation Study. Eastern Iowa Regional Development Corporation.
. Eastern Iowa Regional Utility Services System. Eastern Iowa Housing Authority. ECIA Business Crowth, Inc. .
. Region I Employment and Training' ECIA Regional Planning Affiliation' Region 8 Regional Transit Authority .
Page 2
June 12, 2006
Surface Transportation Board Petition
Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter. If you have questions
regarding this filing, please contact me at 563-588-4265, or Kelley Deutmeyer, Executive
Director at 563-556-4166.
SiZ /) L-/
Mayorly D. Buo1
Chairperson
Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (DMATS)
enc.
cc: DMATS Policy Board Members
Fred Dean, Iowa Dept. of Transportation
Steward Sandstrom, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce
Jerry Enz1er, National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
Terry Goodman, National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
Bill Baum, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager