Lengthy report details DM&E proposal

City officials eager

but unable to see full

version of document

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- A document the size of the Minneapolis phone book (white and yellow pages) has brought frustration for city officials along the proposed expansion route for the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad.

The main frustration with the document, which is the 2,000 page environmental impact study, is the inability officials have had in opening the page on the Internet.

"We have not been able to access the document to determine what effect it will have on New Ulm," City Manager Richard Salvati said. "It is difficult to comment on anything until I have had a chance to view the document. The only thing we have been able to access so far is the executive summary."

New Ulm signed the agreement with DM&E regarding changes at major crossings and the needs for upgrades. The Environmental Impact Statement didn't refer to specific environmental problems related to upgrades in New Ulm. It did recommend, however, that a new rail yard be built east of New Ulm rather than near Minneopa State Park, as the railroad had originally suggested.

The study has been released to key officials along the proposed route, which runs from coal mining fields in Wyoming to the shipping lanes in Winona, as well as 80 public libraries, including New Ulm.

The document explains what potential impact the expansion project will have on state lands, farming land, and wetlands along the route.

The document was prepared by the Surface Transportation Board, who will conduct hearings on the document beginning Oct. 6. It contains options preferred by the Department of Transportation in an attempt to protect the environment.

"We have a 90-day response period on the document," Salvati said. "There are people pushing for an extension, but we aren't sure yet how that will go."

The document will be available for public review and comment, with the deadline for comments being set at Jan. 5, 2001. A copy is expected to arrive this week at the New Ulm Public Library.

U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone, DFL-Minn., has been pushing to have the deadline extended to six months, stating that 90 days is not enough time for all entities involved to develop alternate proposals.

"There are no crossings proposed for closure in the area, unless something has changed from our initial agreement," Sleepy Eye City Clerk Edwin Treml said. "We want an extra crossing installed. They have already upgraded one of our crossings. We signed an agreement in good faith with the DM&E several months ago."

Because of potential damage to protected areas, as well as damage to flood walls in North Mankato, a bypass to the south of existing lines was recommended by the Surface Transportation Board.

The original proposal submitted by railroad officials called for construction of a 13.31 mile line rail segment to connect two sections of the existing DM&E lines in Mankato, Blue Earth County and Nicollet County. This would help officials avoid operating over existing rail lines operated by Union Pacific via trackage rights, because of increased usage.

The construction in Mankato would have provided access between the lines while avoiding conflict with the UP.

In the executive summary of the report, which is a 100-plus page document, two options were provided for the Mankato region.

One option called for construction and operation of a new rail yard west of Mankato near Minneopa State Park. This would provide facilities for crew changes and efficient interchange of rail traffic with UP.

The second option, which was preferred by the government, a new rail yard will be constructed and operated east of New Ulm in an attempt to avoid conflict with state park lands.

In the draft Environmental Impact Statement, three alternatives were proposed. One of the alternatives, known as M-1, would result in denial of the request.

The second alternative, known as M-2, would involve construction of a new 13.31 mile loop south of Mankato to connect tracks on the east side to those on the west side.

The third alternative, known as M-3, would involve construction of a new rail line within existing Union Pacific rights of way within Mankato. This would require modifications to existing rails belonging to UP, the summary stated.

No other information was available at press time regarding the actual location of the rail yard, or whether any closings are proposed for crossings throughout Brown County.

The proposed route, for the most part, will follow existing rails, with improvements being made as needed to handle heavier loads and faster speeds, DM&E officials report.