MEDIA RELEASE
CONTACT:Susan Mehiel, No Trains CoalitionDATE:September 19, 2016
; 828-606-5369 cell
Martin County Commissioners to Review AAF Route Study
The No Trains Coalition applauds our friends in Martin County for identifying an alternative route already available to AAF that will greatly reduce the threats to county residents inherent in both the addition of passenger speed trains and the expansion of dangerous freight hauling.
This Report points out, once again, the major flaws in the AAF Environmental Impact Study and the faulty analysis conducted of route alternatives which overlooked so many harmful aspects of the current coastal route. This is the same EIS that thousands of residents submitted responses to that were ignored by the FRA.
As we have said numerous times, adding 21st century speed trains and hazardous cargo to 19th century infrastructure should not be attempted. This is a recipe for catastrophic accidents never imagined by Henry Flagler.
This proposal reinforces the fact that AAF trains and Hazardous Materials freight should be transported west of the entire Treasure Coast where the population is far less dense, there are far fewer at-grade crossings and the impact to waterways and boat navigation would be greatly reduced.
As the K Branch shows, TICO Development Partners andother Fortress energy companies can build spurs from a western route to their eastern industrial properties including the future Titusville Liquefied Natural Gas production plant in order to access rail transportation to the ports. Highly volatile LNG should not stream through our Treasure Coast communities!
The local, state and federal tax subsidies already planned for AAF (that also benefit FEC) should be used instead to assist FEC in moving both operations to the west.In fact, Florida statutes demand that F DOT make this happen:
CHAPTER 2: CROSSING TREATMENT PROCEDURES
(11) Coordinate and facilitate the relocation of railroads from congested urban areas to non urban areas when relocation has been determined feasible and desirable from the standpoint of safety, operational efficiency, and economics.
From the proximity of FL&P’s Ft. Pierce Nuclear Power Plant to the over 100 at-grade crossing in the region, the only acceptable route for Fortress companies is west of our communities. If Fortress will redesign the AAF 2ndphase to move west, then we can stop saying –
Fortress puts Profits over Lives!
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No Trains Coalition
Media Release – page 2
From the US DOT:
COMPILATION OF STATE LAWS AND REGULATIONS AFFECTING HIGHWAY-RAIL GRADE CROSSINGS, 5TH EDITION,October, 2009 it states that Florida state law includes:
The Florida Department of Transportation has regulatory authority over all public
highway-rail grade crossings in the state.
A public highway-rail grade crossing is defined in the Florida statute as any location at
which a railroad track is crossed at-grade by a public road.
The department is mandated to work with the various railroad companies to develop and
initiate a program for the expenditure of funds for the performance of projects aimed at reducing grade crossing hazards. Fla. Stat. Ann. § 335.141 (2009).
The Florida Department of Transportation, in conjunction with other governmental units
and the private sector, is tasked with the responsibility of developing and implementing a
statewide rail program designed to ensure the proper maintenance, safety, revitalization, and expansion of the rail system. Among the myriad of duties under the statute, the Department is required to administer rail operations and construction, including the regulation of maximum train operating speeds, the opening and closing of public grade crossings, the construction and rehabilitation of public grade crossings, and the installation of traffic control devices at public grade crossings. The administration of the program by the Department includes participation in funding. Fla. Stat. Ann. § 341.302 (2009).
CHAPTER 2: CROSSING TREATMENT PROCEDURES
(7) Develop and administer state standards concerning the safety and performance of rail systems, hazardous material handling, and operations. Such standards shall be developed jointly with representatives of affected rail systems, with full consideration given to nationwide industry norms,
(11) Coordinate and facilitate the relocation of railroads from congested urban areas to non urban areas when relocation has been determined feasible and desirable from the standpoint of safety, operational efficiency, and economics.
(17) Exercise such other functions, powers, and duties in connection with the railsystem plan as are necessary to develop a safe, efficient, and effective statewidetransportation system. Fla. Stat. Ann. § 341-302 (2009).