Mat-Su teams with railroad to oppose court challenge
Alaska Beat |
Feb 09, 2012
Matanuska-Susitna Borough photo
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough and Alaska Railroad are teaming to oppose court challenge to federal approval of the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension by three nonprofits.
In late January, the Sierra Club, Alaska Survival and Cook Inletkeeper challenged the Surface Transportation Board’s OK of the rail extension in the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Earlier this week, the borough assembly told its attorney to file for intervention. According to the borough, the federal board spent nearly three years reviewing the potential environmental impacts before issuing a 650-page Environmental Impact Statement. “The decision . . . is based on the highest environmental standards,” borough Manager John Moosey said. “We are confident that the decision will stand up to a court challenge.”
Borough Mayor Larry DeVilbiss emphasized the importance of the project to the state as well as the borough. “This rail line will bring great economic diversification . . . and we’re going to advocate for it on behalf of our citizens,” DeVilbiss said.
Please note the bluff in the photo. The terminal railroad loop will not be on the dock but 125' above and one or two miles inland. This requires unloading ships to trucks, driving the trucks to the train and re-loading onto the train, unlike direct ship to train at Seward, Whittier and Anchorage. Economically this rail spur is more than just a waste of time and money. Use the appropriation to straighten the track out of Anchorage to the north to reduce wheel wear and increase train speed.
Single Page
Comments