Copyright © 2000 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

(The Surface Transportation Board conducted a public meeting on the Dakota,Minnesota & Eastern Railroad (DM&E)

The Agenda was as follows:

SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD
Section of Environmental Analysis

DM&E POWDER RIVER BASIN EXPANSION PROJECT
Public Meeting on Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

AGENDA

* Team introduction and meeting ground rules
* Surface Transportation Board role
* Cooperating Agency roles
* Overview of Project and Environmental Review
* Public Comments

Below are reflections and comments on the meeting as well as basics of what was discussed and why -- and who was opposed and who was in agreement with the building of the Railroad as explained in diagrams and explanations according to the information in the EIS reports which was lengthy.

The meeting began with a half hour of explanation on the format ...giving time limits for each public speaker of which there were 90 - each having a limit of three minutes except as discovered, elected officials were allowed five minutes which brought comments of dissention or disgust amongst the audience.

The beginning speeches were from members of the panel who sat at the front and who were environmental, railroad, developers etc. The media was also present.

Those who spoke from the public and had pre-arranged speaking that night were as follows:
1. Elected officials-- State Senator, those connected with agencies of government.
2. Tribal members-------- Red Cloud Building and Oceti Sakowin from Standing Rock Reservation and others as well.
3. Ranchers from around the State
4. Farmers from around the State
5. Local business men
6. Head of Sierra Club in Rapid City

Those throughout the meeting who were government employees, related to government , business related to railway and railroad workers all were in favor of the railroad being built. These individuals touched very little on the disadvantages of the EIS report (although some said the report needed improving in sections.) and the railroad and gave positive effects of it without going into too much detail, whether it was personal or government related.

Those who opposed the plan were the Tribes, the ranchers and the farmers. Each had done a considerable amount of inquiry and investigation into the EIS Report and the plan to build the railroad. The report, which was only given a small amount of time to be read with a decision to be made was argued against as having not enough time to fully read all of it which were volumes of material and much of it difficult to read with legal descriptions. (an 180 day extension on this was requested from most of the public speakers). They had copies of the books there but noone was allowed to take them home for any reason including those at the library.

There were questions of ...affecting livelihood, land and health questions connected to the coal dust, emissions from engines and also the question of possible hazardous waste products being transported in the 'empty' cars ...since part of the EIS report was involved in training employees in hazardous waste materials. Chief Oliver Red Cloud was one of the first speakers and also members of the Oceti Sakowin, of The Seven Council Fires from Standing Rock Reservation, others spoke as well.

Much information was brought out relating to the Fort Laramie Treaties of 1851 and 1868. The Sioux Nation Council opposes the railroad and Charmaine White Face said that the Railroad Company should not be dealing with the tribes directly, but should go through the Department of State as Nation to Nation status. The tribal members were very eloquent in their speeches and had done much research on the matter. It was also brought out about the coal dust affecting people, condition of the soil for the weight of the trains, environmental damage to the soil, unknown element on what would be carried in the other direction since there would be empty cars?

The environment would be disrupted and the lines would be close to environmental sensitive areas and the noise and exhaust plus coal dust would circulate through prevailing winds that would affect many even in areas not adjacent to the rail lines. Red Shirt Village and Pine Ridge were mentioned.

The ranchers and farmers are extremely upset and many agreed that the treaties for the Native Americans should be honored and the fact that the Sioux Nation Council had opposed it ,should be a priority. It was said by tribal members, ranchers and farmers alike that the environmental damage would be extensive and the water situation was very important. Lands would be disrupted, cattle crossing affected, health factors involved and loss of business to many people.

The environmental question stood out strongly...the head of the Sierra Club gave a speech on the environmental impact of the railroad across South Dakota and it was suggested that why not utillize the rail lines that were already there?? why build more when there were already lines constructed.

The railroad line was also expecting the public to pay for this...and there was objection to this as well...many agreed that the EIS Report should go back to the 'drawing board' and others said...no way build another railroad. Would hurt to many people and the environmental affects would be drastic.

The meeting lasted from 6:00pm to 10:00pm with a ten minute break in the middle of it.