GUEST COMMENTARY

Editor’s Note: Honey Minuse is a member of the Train Impact Coalition (Indian River County) and Chair, Indian River Neighborhood Association.

HONEY MINUSE

All Aboard Florida recently announced the name of its new high speed passenger train: the Brightline

But they did not announce how they would keep us safe from 32 fast trains speeding through our county everyday without stopping.

Nor did they announce how they would expand the freight travel along those same tracks and not threaten our health, safety or welfare.

And unlike the other Counties, they have not provided to us the 90% Plan detailing how the tracks will run through our lands. There has been no explanation for this delay.

When the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was released last August it lacked identification of threatening impacts to our communities. We are granted protections according to the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and our Train Impact Coalition responded once again outlining the harm to our human and natural environments should the proposed fast trains and expanded freight travel proceed.

Since the release of the FEIS, all has been relatively quiet with the exception of another announcement by All Aboard Florida that they will not issue $1.75 billion in tax-exempt bonds to finance their expanded rail operations. They point to a lack of interest and the global market.

So how will they finance their rail expansion? The alternative has always been to seek the federal loan known as RRIF (Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing). If this is to come about they need to be in compliance with NEPA (National Environmental Protection Act) and it is this Act which served as guidance for our Coalition’s action.

The next and last step in the federal process is the issue of the Record of Decision (ROD). We expect a 90% Plan will first be provided and we have asked for a public comment time following the release of this Plan but we have no guarantee it will be allowed. In all, beyond the public relations presentations, this entire process has sadly lacked a serious consideration of citizen concerns.

We have identified individuals who are in positions to help us. Their names and email addresses are listed below. Please consider contacting them. They need to understand there are serious concerns with this proposed expansion of rail services and we need their help.

Here is a link to our response to the Federal Railroad Administration. The information it provides relates specifically to NEPA and you may find it useful when asking for help.
Please Contact:

Senator Bill Nelson: bill@billnelson.senate.gov

Senator Marco Rubio: http://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact

Governor Rick Scott: http://www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/email-the-governor/

Representative Posey’s Office:
Pam.gillespie@mail.house.gov
george.cecala@mail.house.gov

State Senate President, Joe Negron: negron.joe@flsenate.gov

State Senator Andy Gardiner: gardiner.andy@flsenate.gov

State Senator Thad Altman: altman.thad@flsenate.gov

Representative Debbie Mayfield: Debbie.mayfield@myfloridahouse.gov

Speaker of the Florida House, Steve Crisafulli: steve.crisafulli@myfloridahouse.gov

State Division of Historical Resources Director, Robert Bendus: Robert.Bendus@dos.myflorida.com

FDOT District 4 Coordinator, Arnie Goddeau: amie.goddeau@dot.state.fl.us

St. John’s Water Management District Project Management: mbrandenburg@sjrwmd.com

Army Corps of Engineers, Andrew W. Phillips: andrew.w.phillips@usace.army.mil

Mike Busha, TCRPC: mbusha@tcrpc.org