Submission Number: UBR-DEIS-00451-0139 

Received: 1/27/2021 12:00:00 AM
Commenter: michael lott
Organization: 
State: Utah

Agency: STB
Initiative: Uinta Basin Railway EIS
Attachments: No Attachments
Submission Text
I implore you to choose a no-action alternative stand on the proposed Uinta Basin Railway. The drafted environmental impact statement falls short by failing to frame the primary drivers behind the initiative: oil shale and oil sands development in the region. The failure to establish the drivers behind the initiative obscure the hidden environmental costs beyond the railway. These drivers can be traced back to and industry that has proven to decimate both environment and community also resulting in irreparable damage to our region's air, water, land and wildlife. Investing in infrastructure in an effort to serve petroleum based energy development is an added level of irresponsible commitment. As a dying industry and a major contributor to climate change, the application of resources and funds to this initiative when alternatives abound is an unacceptable commitment. Failure to cover the aforementioned impacts that are driving the demand for the railway has resulted in a failure to provide clarity and transparency in the true cost of this development. Thank you for your consideration and I sincerely hope you join me in opposition to the proposal.Thank you,