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Re: Obama grants monument status to vast swath of Calif. desert what does this mean for the Railroads
Author: mook
Date: 02-12-2016 - 20:28
And Teddy was a Republican! "Progressive" Republican, though, which was the flavor of the day back around the late 1800s-early 1900s. Most who profess Republican status these days would not recognize Teddy as being even remotely one of them; hey, even Reagan was willing to sign the odd environmental law from time to time.
You don't need "monument" status to generate federal involvement with private railroad work. All you need is to use some adjacent federal land (perhaps for easing a curve, or even just construction easements) or affect a "protected" resource like a stream (Corps permits). Yes, there are streams and riparian habitat in the desert, as well as endangered species. Look at some of the kinks and juggles BNSF did on the Cajon 3rd track for examples. Just Plain BLM Land will do it, as well National Forest or Defense Dept. Monument status raises the stakes a tad, but you're still dealing with the same processes; just perhaps a different or additional cooperating agency for your FRA NEPA work if it goes far enough to lose the basic in-the-r/w exemption.
The LA (Victorville, for starters) to LV HSR line mostly is within or very near/adjacent to the I-15 r/w (deal is already done with FHWA/USDOT for that, long ago). So even if the monument(s) extended west and north far enough to potentially affect it the effect should be minimal.
Effect on 29 Palms Marines?
You don't need "monument" status to generate federal involvement with private railroad work. All you need is to use some adjacent federal land (perhaps for easing a curve, or even just construction easements) or affect a "protected" resource like a stream (Corps permits). Yes, there are streams and riparian habitat in the desert, as well as endangered species. Look at some of the kinks and juggles BNSF did on the Cajon 3rd track for examples. Just Plain BLM Land will do it, as well National Forest or Defense Dept. Monument status raises the stakes a tad, but you're still dealing with the same processes; just perhaps a different or additional cooperating agency for your FRA NEPA work if it goes far enough to lose the basic in-the-r/w exemption.
The LA (Victorville, for starters) to LV HSR line mostly is within or very near/adjacent to the I-15 r/w (deal is already done with FHWA/USDOT for that, long ago). So even if the monument(s) extended west and north far enough to potentially affect it the effect should be minimal.
Effect on 29 Palms Marines?
