Submission Number: UBR-DEIS-00655 

Received: 2/12/2021 3:08:00 PM
Commenter: Senator David  Hinkins
Organization: Utah State Legislature
State: Utah

Agency: STB
Initiative: Uinta Basin Railway EIS
Attachments:
UBR-DEIS-00655-59106.pdf Size = 344 KB
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Submission Text
ATTACHMENT


Joshua Wayland, PhD Surface Transportation Board c/o ICF
9300 Lee Highway
Fairfax, VA 22031

Uinta Basin Railway Draft Environmental Impact Statement
RE: Docket No. FD 36284 RDCC Project No. 76724
FROM: David Hinkins
Utah Senator - District 27
Utah State Capitol
350 State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84103

Dear Mr. Wayland,

I am writing today in support of the work being done on the draft EIS (DEIS) for the Uinta Basin Railway Study, offered by the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition, and to affirm my support of a project which will benefit the residents of Utah Senate District 27 and surrounding communities.

I will focus my comments on "Impact analysis for PLANning (IMPLAN) modeling" which is found on page 3.13-1 of the DEIS associated with growth.

The comprehensive analysis of the socioeconomic impacts of the project utilized Impact analysis for IMPLAN modeling estimating total employment and income effects associated with the Action Alternatives for the proposed rail line. As I understand the analysis, the model demonstrates tremendous regional benefits and outweighs the concerns for anticipated population growth.

I have seen the economic and tax revenue benefits found in a thriving resource and agriculture development-based economy that rely on transportation alternatives in Emery County. Your analysis suggests that the Uinta Basin Railway could bring similar economic benefits. This community welcomes prosperity and the challenge of gradual population growth that will occur with this rail project.

While some population growth is expected I believe much of the talent the railroad and supporting industries requires currently reside in Duchesne, Carbon, Uinta and Utah Counties as well as Emery County. I suggest the benefits noted in your analysis far exceed the challenges of population growth.

This is a worthwhile project that needs to happen. Its an opportunity for regional prosperity and economic stabilization which, is long overdue. I thank you again Mr. Wayland, for the opportunity to submit a comment on behalf of my constituency.

Respectfully Submitted,

David Hinkins
Utah Senator - District 27