I was randomly checking the STB’s website this evening and came across the approval buried a couple of layers deep. Unless it’s a mistake, it will probably be announced tomorrow morning. (29 Jan) Here’s the URL:
http://www.stb.dot.gov/EIS/dme/sea32.htm
Tom Edwards
Tom, what you have found is the approval of the Environmental Impact Staement, not the full and final approval. I subscribe to the STB’s News Releases and final approval has NOT been announced. Yesterday the STB did approve a BNSF build-in in Texas and last week an IC build-in in Baton Rouge, LA.
No, I really think that the approval mentioned is the approval to build. Here’s the last few lines:
“The Board considered the entire environmental record in this case - including all public and agency comments, the Draft EIS, and the Final EIS - in making its decision. On January 28, 2002, the Board issued a final written decision, granting DM&E authority to construct and operate the line, subject to 147 environmental conditions, including an environmental oversight period that will continue through the first two years of project-related operations.”
This says that they’ve “granted DM&E authority to construct and operate the line”. I agree that it hasn’t been posted officially yet. I subscribe to their notices also and that’s why I was so surprised to see this. That web page also says that it was last updated on 28 January 2002.
Tom Edwards
OOOOH, the boat is leaky at the Surf Board!!! There is NOTHING official under Docket FD 33407, but it is normally 2-3 days before it is posted. Just long enought for those in the know to make a profit. Is DME publicly traded?? If so, the time to buy the stock is NOW!!
Bill Stephens, who writes News Wire for Trains. com, called the STB and they tell him this was an error. Vote has not yet been taken.
I figured something was up. I wonder if that is just a template sitting out there waiting to be released. Normally I have seen a flurry of press releases in the local papers a day or two before the actual announcement is made.
Poor webmeister… Hope his job is still secure.
Tom Edwards
Hate to add gas to the fire but I read something a couple of days ago that this project was approved. Am pretty sure it was a brief blurb in the business section of last weekends Chicago Tribune. Don"t know where else I would have seen it.
The surf Board lied to Bill Stephens yesterday. Press release has been issued and decision posted to the STB website this morning! It is under Decisions & Notices, Docket FD 33407.
Yup - Just read it this afternoon. I guess the webmeister was right in the first place when he put that page out there. He was just a little ahead of the game.
Now we’ll see if the litigation starts.
Tom Edwards
Yep, it was the top story on the Rochester (MN) news at noon today. Good news for the DM&E and hopefully acouple of lawmakers and lawyers will stay out of it and let them get started on it.
It’s about time
Paul Becker
Hi, Paul. This is TD of Hutch.
I see by the Rochester Post Bulletin that the city and Mayo are still talking lawsuits. The city has already spent $600,000 on this. When are those constituents going to say to their council members that enough is enough. That money would have been better spent building more overpasses or sound walls. I didn’t get to see the side stories, but it sounds like local officials there are pretty subdued. They should be.
TD
The economy could definitely use the high paying jobs that will be created and the added freight competetion will help consumers nation wide.
James
Do they have lawsuits when they build highways and airports.NMBY’S SUCK’S.
The comment at the end of the decision by the STB’s Vice Chairman said it all, that this process has taken too long and cost too much.
Here in New Ulm there are a lot of people with a vested interest in this project (rock suppliers, construction co’s, etc…) that are just waiting to get started.
Personally, I’m waiting for the gambler’s trains to run to Deadwood and back on weekends. I know that will be a while, but it’s fun hoping…
Tom Edwards
I totally agree with him too, this has wasted way too much time and money especially in Rochester. With the amount of money that the city of Rochester has spent fighting this, they could have used it to build overpasses and sound walls.
Plus I don’t see any citizens along Hwy 52 opposing MNDOT’S plan to expand it to six lanes through Rochester. Isn’t there exhaust and noise pollution there too?
An Associated Press article in today’s “Great Falls Tribune” also reported that the line had been approved, but that the NIMBY’s and BANANA’s were still going to fight it all the way. An accompanying article also stated that “final” approval of the “Tongue River Railroad” from Decker to Glendive, Montana was also likely soon. This line has been held up for over 20 years by the NIMBY’s and BANANA’s. Ron H.
BANANA’s?
Newspapers this morning had an article saying that Rochester and the Mayo Clinic are filing suit in Federal Court to overturn the STB’s decision. What a waste of taxpayer’s money. They just don’t get it. To paraphrase a polition from years ago - “It’s the ENTIRE transportation network, stupid!”, not just those few miles going through Rochester.
Yes, BANANA’s - Build Absolutely Nothing Anytime Nor Anywhere, the only human being lower than a NIMBY - Not In My Back Yard! AKA “Tree Hugger” and other things not permissible on this forum!
I have two slightly different versions of the definition of a BANANA;
Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything.
Or;
Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anyone.
I also think they are definitely far worse than NIMBY’s. Ron H.