(The Pasadena Citizen posted the following article by Deanna Sheffield on its website on May 4.)
PASADENA — Surface Transportation Board officials released the Final Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed San Jacinto rail line Friday, bringing a permit decision infinitely closer.
The STB could grant a permit for the 12.8-mile project designed to provide competitive rail service to shippers in the Bayport Industrial Loop on Friday. The project has been spearheaded by San Jacinto Rail Limited, a partnership of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company and its shippers, ATOFINA Petrochemicals, Basell USA, Equistar Chemicals, LP; and Lyondell Chemical.
“I think we’re encouraged that we’ve taken another step forward,” said Henry de La Garza, spokesman for San Jacinto Rail Limited. “We are very pleased that the environmental review of the project has been completed, and commend the agencies on their hard and thorough work on a host of complex and technical issues.”
This marks the last step in project approval prior to the STB’s final decision next weekend.
“Based on the FEIS, and all of the planning and research done since the project was launched in August 2001, we’re hopeful for a favorable decision on May 9,” de La Garza said.
Opponents of the project have not yet fully reviewed the lengthy FEIS, however, U.S. Rep. Gene Green, D-Houston, was quick to express his frustration and disappointment that the STB could approve the project within the coming week.
“The STB did not respond to hundreds of public comments, including ones from elected officials,” Green said. “They let the project slice up east Houston, and did nothing for unsafe at-grade crossings.”
Green has sponsored legislation designed to require that the STB give greater weight to public comments on projects planned in residential areas, and that they also determine whether the proposed project has a disproportionate impact on minorities. That bill would also provide penalties for submitting false or misleading information during STB proceedings.
State Rep. John Davis, R-Houston, had also proposed legislation to tighten regulations for the construction of rail lines in an attempt to thwart the proposed rail line through Bayport.
If approved, the $81 million rail line will run from Highway 3, along Ellington Field to the Bayport Industrial Loop.
“I hope the board is wise enough to halt this project, but if not, I will do what I can to help the community continue the fight,” Green said.