Thank you Bud Meador, Chairman of the Communities Coalition, for posing the questions that need to be asked and detailing the hazards of a major rail hub in the community. See below
Dear Supervisor Lesko:
Thank you for asking of our views regarding the forthcoming BNSF Railroad InterModal Hub presently considered for construction in the Wittmann, Arizona, area. My message will be brief and to the point: Construction of this proposed facility in Wittmann impacts adversely far more people than just those residents of Wittmann.
Immediately east of Wittmann are the communities of Sun City West (approximately 30,000 residents), The Grand (approximately 20,000 residents), Corte Bella (approximately 2,070 residents), and Sun City (approximately 38,000 residents). In addition, Peoria’s population is 198,750, that of Surprise is 158,285, and El Mirage is 35,850. There are several other communities adjacent and contiguous to those just listed. These communities are the ones most immediately impacted by many deleterious aspects of this BNSF project. Of course, the entirety of the Valley of the Sun’s population will be negatively impacted by pollutants, to wit: reduced air quality (smog) by reason of greatly enhanced locomotive activity, and potential ground water contamination (fuel spills and other carcinogenic chemicals). Numbering into the millions, a vast sum of citizens will be touched adversely by this development. Not mentioned is the possible additional congestion of rail and associated traffic in the greater Wickenburg area, population of approximately 8,000 residents. The potential adverse impact on our population is enormous, and the numbers speak for themselves. The following specific issues represent our concerns and understandings as of this writing:
- The BNSF InterModal facility, if built, will be a Port of Entry installation. This represents a bonafide national security threat to our communities given foreign packed containers not being inspected until they are opened in Wittmann.
- Utility rate hikes will be passed to all aforementioned residents for increased disposition of wastewater and an electrical grid system (yet unbuilt) to handle the significant demand increase of wastewater treatment, and electrical power. BNSF is the COST CAUSER in this matter … and NOT the residents of impacted communities. Who pays that bill?
- Issues identified by residents of the Sun Cities, Wittmann, and Morristown in a Maricopa County study, conducted in August- October, 2023, cited the following as concerns to be addressed: Dark Skies, maintenance of our natural vegetation, adequacy and safety of our ground water supply, proper and adequate maintenance of road and safety issues (to include new road construction considerations), a less air polluted environment, and a view out to infinity of natural surroundings, i.e. mountain ranges and desert vistas.
- To the extent increased rail traffic can be anticipated, what are the projections of hazardous materials transported along our tracks, and, if increased, what will be the corresponding additional emergency services designated to deal with a catastrophic hazardous materials spill? What will be their physical locations? On an associated note, will our current road network accommodate emergency evacuation of various communities due to hazardous material spills should such be ordered by appropriate authorities?
- Has BNSF issued an ENVIROMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT? If so, by whom is that being reviewed, and are the impacted communities invited to be involved in that process – and with a vote on approval/disapproval? For example, our residents have already voiced their views on Dark Skies, but yet, BNSF has requested variances on that matter which, if approved, will completely render irrelevant resident views and opinions.
- With 18,000,000 square feet of concrete being poured just for storage facilities alone – asphalt and concrete roads will only add to the problem – what is the mitigation effort against the “HEAT ISLAND” phenomenon, that, unquestionably, will arise from these facilities?
- COST CAUSER being identified as BNSF Railroad, who – Residents or BNSF – will bear the cost (tax burden?) of highway additions, modifications dealing with the 22,000 + PER DAY additional vehicles on our roads and highways? Additionally,i. seasonal heavy water flows from as far away as Prescott, down through numerous arroyos in our southwestern areas to its low point at the Hassayampa River; how is the construction of this enormous facility – the largest of its kind in the USA – going to affect that water flow? Who pays for the Highway 60 modifications to accommodate those new flow patterns permitting the water to continue to the Hassayampa rather than washing out the highway? BNSF, or the taxpayer?
- What does national-level research indicate regarding rising levels of crime in communities with such facilities?
- Lastly – at this point in time – this is a matter of human health, well-being, and national security. Already, the Kansas City Star and the Chicago Tribune are reporting unhealthy air quality indexes in those regions specifically targeting such facilities. Just two days ago, the AQI in Sun City West was posted as unhealthy. We are not against growth, but this proposed facility is positioned virtually on top of a multi-million person established community. Have you considered BNSF building this facility somewhere else, away from significant population areas? So, what is to be done, and what can we expect your office to do?
Thank you for taking onboard these issues/questions, all of which have come from our residents.
Bud Meador
Chair
Communities Coalition
CC: [email protected]
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