SP5103 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This permitting process has been going on for
> several years.
>
> Question - Why did UP (or any railroad) need
> county approval to add a second track?
>
> I know there is a potential issue with a Native
> American treaty and some potential restrictions
> because it is in some kind of federally designated
> visual protection corridor and involves wetlands,
> but why is it that the count planning
> board/commissioners are the ones approving this?
> And why did UP even bother applying with them? I
> think we all know this is more than a siding
> extension as it involves extending the existing
> siding into multiple main track for a moderate
> distance which might allow for some rolling meets
> or stacking trains.
>
> So does the county intend to decide how many cars
> and trucks can use paralleling I-84?
>
> You can pretty well guess this is going to end up
> in federal court but I'm not sure when it is all
> over UP still ends up with some restrictions
> placed on it.

IF restrictions are placed upon the project, it will be by the STB / Federal Courts; NOT the locals and that's the way it should play out.

I for one have experienced to the tune of some $50 grand in legal fees the locals here in Milwaukie trying to regulate Interstate Commerce because our drill track runs down 20-feet of the shoulder of McBrod Avenue where our shops is located.

Lawyers stacking up those "Billable Hours (in ten-minute increments)" to further their careers!

Dick Samuels
Oregon Pacific Railroad