Letter to David Studenski, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Environmental Analysis of the BNSF Railway

Letter

Dear Mr. Studenski,

I write to express my support of a thorough environmental analysis of BNSF Railway's proposal to expand track in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Specifically, I support the completion of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in consideration of granting a Section 404 permit.

Though the City of La Crosse is not within my jurisdiction, the effects of BNSF's expansion project have implications for the citizens and environment of Minnesota's First Congressional District. Given the severity of recent freight train derailments in Canada and throughout the U.S. -- thereby introducing materials like crude oil into the natural environment -- I, like Representative Ron Kind, Senator Tammy Baldwin, and a number of other Minnesotan and Wisconsin state representatives, want to ensure that the USACE fully considers the secondary and cumulative impacts of this and all future projects involving the Upper Mississippi River Basin.

As a strong advocate for rail safety issues and environmental policies that affect my constituents and the entire country, I encourage the Army Corps to consider all possible consequences of a track expansion along the La Crosse River Marsh.

Thank you for consideration of this request.

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