Submission Number: UBR-DEIS-00499 

Received: 1/28/2021 6:56:55 PM
Commenter: Taylor  Christensen
Organization: 
State: Utah

Agency: STB
Initiative: Uinta Basin Railway EIS
Attachments: No Attachments
Submission Text
To Whom it May Concern: I am writing in regards to the railroad coming to the Uintah Basin. I am against it coming here. My parents own the Canyon Fork Ranch; my dad is the fourth generation in his family to have owned it. I feel as though the negative effects of the railroad outweigh the positive ones. Indian Canyon has a delicate system of springs that provides water to, not only cows, but also wildlife. If the railroad disrupts these, it will impact all the many different types of wild animals. The railroad also poses a risk of starting wildfires l, this would, obviously, affect wildlife, the landscape, and even the city of Duchesne. I also believe the economic benefits have been exaggerated. The days of the oilfield booming in the basin are over; there are too many places where oil is so much cheaper to produce. With a new administration focusing on shifting away from oil all together, the prognosis is not looking good. As far as other manufacturing goes-there really are not a lot of other commodities that come out of the basin. Every meeting that representatives from the railroad have attended have been very vague and evasive when asked to give specifics on how the local economy will be improved by said railroad. Frankly, I would like to see a break down of how the approved funds will be allocated-I’d be interested to see who’s pockets are getting lined by the approval and building of the railroad. It breaks my heart that my children will no longer be able to enjoy the cabin and barn that their great-grandfather built. They will not be able move cows down the canyon while their grandpa tells them stories of his own childhood, and stories of their ancestors. While I realize that my small voice means nothing to whom ever is reading this, I would just like it on the record that I strongly oppose the railroad being built, and believe a different route should be chosen.Thank you for your time, Taylor Christensen tatorbug11@hotmail.com