Submission Number: UBR-DEIS-00094 

Received: 12/3/2020 1:01:49 PM
Commenter: Michael Rock
Organization: Uintah Valley Shoshone Tribe
State: Michigan

Agency: STB
Initiative: Uinta Basin Railway EIS
Attachments:
UBR-DEIS-00094-53605.pdf Size = 197 KB
Download Adobe Reader
Submission Text
ATTACHMENT



MICHAEL J. ROCK, PLLC
ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS
PO BOX 721534
BERKLEY, MI 48072

P: (248)587-7513
E: MICHAEL.ROCK@MROCKLAW.COM
F: (313)930-6089
W: www.mrocklaw.com

December 3, 2020

Joshua Wayland, PhD

Surface Transportation Board

c/o ICF

9300 Lee Highway

Fairfax, VA 22031

Attn: Environmental filing, Docket No. FD 36284

Re: Uinta Basin Railway Project; Request for Extension of Public Comment for Draft Environmental Impact Statement Dear Dr. Wayland:

I write to you on behalf of the Uintah Valley Shoshone Tribe (also known as the Affiliated Ute Citizens) ("UVST"). The UVST is an Indian Tribe residing on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation. The UVST respectfully requests a 60-day extension of the public comment period for the Surface Transportation Board’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement ("DEIS") for the Uinta Basin Railway.

The scale and scope of the railway project poses immense consequences for members of the UVST. Each proposed route will cross lands owned or worked by members of the UVST. The proposed routes will each potentially impact the air, water, wildlife, and lands directly impacting the UVST.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we request a 60-day extension to February 12, 2021 for the comment period of the DEIS so we may more fully address the potential environmental impact of the Uinta Basin Railway.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Rock, PLLC

Michael J. Rock

cc: UVST