(The Associated Press circulated the following article on October 10.)
PIERRE, S.D. — Tuesday was the deadline for public comments on a $2.3 billion federal loan that the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad seeks for its coal train project.
If the loan is approved, Marshall Damgaard, spokesman for project opponents, said lawsuits will be filed. The suits would deal with environmental concerns and other issues, he said.
Jafar Karim of the DM&E, meanwhile, said the railroad will be ready to proceed with the $6 billion plan almost immediately if the loan is approved. Construction could start next year, he said.
DM&E wants to extend its tracks into Wyoming and improve the rest of its line through South Dakota and southern Minnesota for the delivery of coal to power plants to the east.
Those on both sides of the issue said thousands of comments were expected to be part of the record by the Federal Railroad Administration’s deadline.