Submission Number: UBR-DEIS-00678 

Received: 2/12/2021 7:37:58 PM
Commenter: Allen Steckler
Organization: 
State: Utah

Agency: STB
Initiative: Uinta Basin Railway EIS
Attachments:
UBR-DEIS-00678-59132.pdf Size = 84 KB
Download Adobe Reader
Submission Text
Assuming that when referring to the environment in “environmental impact statement”, our communities, the citizens living there, and companies working within are included. I have been a resident of the Basin for 13 years. I have been hearing about the rail for nearly 10 of those 13 years. After the many discussions that I have been apart of, I have concluded that the rail is critical for our community. I love the Basin, but as a one industry town, it has taken too many beatings. It must branch into additional industries. This necessitates the rail. I currently work in the Basin in HR. During my career, I have sent employees all over the states in an effort to keep them employed. Additionally, I have sent so many job seeking workers away due to having little work in the Basin. I have literally had job applicants in my lobby tear up stating their need to “come home”. The Basin’s residents are hard working Americans. They pride themselves in their ability, desire, and the reality of their work. Any company would be benefited by their work ethic. However, companies cannot logistically come to the Basin without improved forms of distribution. The rail does not only support the oil and gas industry. It will open the door for new industries, which create additional jobs in town, keeping these workers home. Workers being home is not only about monies staying locally, it’s about families being together. That’s the kind of environmental impact we need. Please approve this project.

[See original attachment for identical text.]