Submission Number: UBR-DEIS-00312 

Received: 1/18/2021 9:56:43 AM
Commenter: Daniel O'Malley
Organization: 
State: Utah

Agency: STB
Initiative: Uinta Basin Railway EIS
Attachments: No Attachments
Submission Text
I urge you to choose the no action alternative for the proposed UBR. It would do irreparable harm to the air, water, land and wildlife in the region and should not be built. The draft EIS fails to consider the full impact that new UBR-caused exploration, drilling, production and eventual combustion of fossil fuels will have on the environment, wildlife, and nearby communities. This production, potentially four times the current amount, will contribute irreversibly to increased greenhouse gas emissions. Our climate is already at a tipping point; we shouldn't expand fossil fuel development. It will also further pollute the air in the Uinta Basin, which already exceeds federal standards because of existing oil and gas development. It will harm wildlife as the proposed routes traverse roadless areas, steep canyons, and rugged terrain. Over 10,000 acres of big game habitat will be impacted. The route also impacts 1600 acres of Greater sage grouse habitat, and areas inhabited by the endangered Barnaby ridge-cress. The preferred project alignment would run almost the entire length of Indian Canyon Creek, affecting the area with 443 stream crossings, over 61 miles of streams and 26 acres of floodplains, as well ast wetlands along the Price River. These are unacceptable impacts to the precious perennial waterways in our semi-arid state. Finally the UBR would change the way of life for those who live and recreate in the area. Landowners in Argyle Canyon and other off-grid canyon communities along the proposed routes fear the disruption oil trains will bring with noise and clouds of diesel smoke. Mile-long trains will disrupt beloved wildlife, create traffic delays and significant potential for accidents, derailments, spills and sparks, which could ignite disastrous wildfires. This is an unacceptable threat to community health, safety and well being.