15-13 - 02-17 - Petition Surface Board for EIS Resolution 15-13 February 17, 2015
Member Fonnest introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY PETITIONING THE
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD TO REQUIRE AN ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT STATEMENT ON CONSTRUCTION OF RAILROAD CONNECTOR
TRACK IN CRYSTAL, MINNESOTA
WHEREAS, Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway Company and Canadian
Pacific (CP) Railway each own track that intersects in the city of Crystal, Minnesota and have
commenced a project to construct connector track at the site of the intersection; and
WHEREAS, the connector track would be built on land not currently owned by either
railroad and which is home to several active businesses; and
WHEREAS, such railroad connector track allows alternative routing of long trains
carrying heavy freight, including volatile oil products, currently transported on another route
through the Twin Cities metropolitan area; and
WHEREAS, the resulting re-routing due to new railroad connector track would
provide a new transportation route for long trains carrying heavy freight, including volatile oil
products, which poses numerous potentially negative safety and environmental effects in
many west metro cities including Crystal, Robbinsdale, Golden Valley, Minneapolis,
Plymouth and New Hope; and
WHEREAS, such effects include potential blockage in the city of Crystal of multiple
adjacent at-grade rail crossings by a single train, which can result in not only reduced
response capabilities of emergency first responders such as firefighters and police due to
long diversion of route but also increased roadway congestion impacting the community in
general; and
WHEREAS, such effects also includes passage of freight trains directly adjacent to
environmentally sensitive areas and prized park land in Golden Valley; and
WHEREAS, such freight traffic will introduce considerable noise, vibration and safety
impacts to residences and businesses located adjacent to and near the track; and
WHEREAS, such effects also include a dramatic increase in the volume, frequency
and length of freight trains on a little-used route; and
WHEREAS, such rail traffic will negatively impact sensitive park land, open space;
and
WHEREAS, the Surface Transportation Board in the United States Department of
Transportation is authorized under federal law to provide regulatory oversight of freight
railroads;
Resolution 15-13 - Continued February 17, 2015
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Golden
Valley, that it urges the Surface Transportation Board to order the BNSF Railway Company
and the Canadian Pacific Railway to complete an Environmental Impact Statement prior to
acquiring land, completing final design, or commencing construction of the railroad
connector track.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Clerk for the City of Golden Valley is
directed to prepare copies of this Resolution and transmit them to the Chair of the Surface
Transportation Board, Minnesota's Senators and Representatives in the United States
Congress, the City of Golden Valley's Senators and Representatives in the Minnesota
Legislature, the White House Intergovernmental Affairs Office and United States
Department of Transportation's Secretary.
Shep rd M. Harris, ayor
ATTEST:
Kristine A. Luedke, City Clerk
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was seconded by Member Clausen
and upon a vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Harris, Snope,
Clausen and Fonnest and the following voted against the same: Schmidgall, whereupon
said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted, signed by the Mayor and his
signature attested by the City Clerk.