(The following appeared on the Montana News Station website on May 29.)
WHITEFISH, Mont. — The environmental impact of Burlington Northern Santa Fe’s use of howitzer cannon explosives was discussed at a meeting in Whitefish on Wednesday.
An official with Glacier National Park said the Environmental Impact Statement was delayed in Washington, DC because of Burlington Northern Santa Fe’s tenacity on their concerns.
The environmental review was conducted to weigh any potential dangers from BNSF’s use of explosives and some 13,000 public comments were gathered by August 2007.
The final review is expected to be released in June.
“At this point the preferred alternative still remains alternative B, which is that we recommend that Burlington Northern build snow sheds, however we don’t, the Park Service does not have the jurisdiction to require this, but it’s a recommendation” explains Glacier National Park’s Mary Riddle.
In the meantime, BNSF can not use any explosives in the park, except when in emergencies.
Wednesday’s meeting covered other topics including emergency services, weed management and grizzly habitat conservation in the 60 mile stretch from West to East Glacier.