Agenda - Council - 02/24/1981 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Moorhead, MI~ to Staples, MN, and then branching to the vicinity of Minneapolis and Duluth, MN. In 1976, t~e Rail Traffic Task Force was formed. Its members recognize that Burlington Northern, Inc. has had a substantial, positive effect on the approximately 80 communities located along the corridor, for many years serving as a major employer and providing essential freight transportation links to the rest of the country. The railroad continues to play a vital role in the development and well-being of these communities. On the other hand, the presence of the railroad main line within communities and local rail operations have conflicted with community activities. The Task Force has contended that the increase in coal traffic along the corridor has intensified the conflicts. Task Force members, as well as community residents, are concerned that if projected increases in coal traffic occur, the conflicts will become even more serious. The concerns and actions of the Task Force are largely responsible for initiating this study. The efforts of the Task Force and the commitment of the states of Minnesota and North Dakota and the Burlington Northern, Inc. to address community problems attracted the attention of the U.S. Departments of Energy and Transportation. The Departments saw an opportunity to conduct a prototype study of community impacts of railroad operations, particularly of unit coal train operations. As coal has come to play a more significant role in meeting the nation's energy requirements, the com~nity impacts of increased unit coal train movements have become a growing concern of the federal government. Consequently, the U.S. Departments of Energy and Transportation have joined the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the North Dakota State Highway Department, Burlington Northern, Inc. and the 2