Farm Bureau

Winnebago-Boone

Map of New Route (9.20.16)

1st set of proposed Maps- Click Here

Great Lakes Basin Response to EIS- November 30, 2016

The Great Lakes Basin submitted a response and an updated map to the STB on Wednesday, November 30, 2016. Copies of the submitted documents can be found here under Information Requests- November 30, 2016 Applicant's Response.

Great Lakes Basin Response to EIS- September 20, 2016

The Great Lakes Basin submitted a response to the STB on Tuesday, September 20, 2016. Copies of the submitted documents can be found here under Information Requests- September 20, 2016 Applicant's Response. You can select the documents individually or download a complete set of the documents listed.

STB responded the following on March 3, 2017

“…I will grant your most recent request to extend the suspension of the environmental review process.

However, the Board is mindful of the need to move forward expeditiously with the environmental review process, as well as the project's potential impact on affected communities. The Board will anticipate receiving your application on or before May I, 2017. If you are unable to file, OEA will cease all work on the environmental review of GLBT's proposal, including taking down the project website (www.greatlakesbasinraileis.com).”

Click here to read STB's response to the GLBT's February 28, 2017 letter.

Great Lakes Basin Extension Request- February 28, 2017

Great Lakes Basin did not file an application with the STB on February 28th, and requested that the STB extend the suspension of the EIS until April 30, 2017, at which time they will either file the application or provide another status report. Click here to read GLBT's letter to the STB.

STB Response to GLBT's Temporary Suspension Request- December 13, 2017

“…I will grant your request for suspension of the NEPA review. To ensure that the suspension does not become unduly lengthy, I ask that you submit a status update to me on February 28, 2017, on the application and, if relevant, any other factors that may delay resumption of the Board’s NEPA process.” Click here to read their letter.

EIS- Temporary Suspension Request

On December 1st, GLBT requested a temporary suspension of the environmental review process for GLBT’s project.” Click here to read their letter.

Proposed Manteno Railport

In response to the STB’s request to “provide and explain the dimensions of a reasonable foreseeable Railport that would accommodate the project purpose” (GLBT’s proposed Railport encompasses 14,700 acres in Kankakee County) GLBT states that: “the proposed Manteno Railport is intended to accommodate various service and functions of the proposed railroad and the railroad’s operating headquarters building and training facility. The Manteno Railport could also offer space for potential future development by third parties, including intermodal facilities that would benefit from a location with nearby interstate highway access…” GLBT’s full response is available here.

Great Lakes Basin Response to EIS- November 30, 2016

The Great Lakes Basin submitted a response and an updated map to the STB on Wednesday, November 30, 2016. Copies of the submitted documents can be found here under Information Requests- November 30, 2016 Applicant's Response.

Great Lakes Basin Response to EIS- September 20, 2016

The Great Lakes Basin submitted a response to the STB on Tuesday, September 20, 2016. Copies of the submitted documents can be found here under Information Requests- September 20, 2016 Applicant's Response. You can select the documents individually or download a complete set of the documents listed.

Great Lakes Basin Route Narrative

The Great Lakes Basin Railroad (GLBR) is designed to provide a by-pass for railroad freight traffic that currently moves through the Chicago region without originating or terminating there. GLBR’s route will connect all six Class 1 railroads serving the region, as well as several regional and short line railroads, accelerating the flow of interchange between carriers without the delays and weather-related breakdowns that plague the Chicago terminal today. GLBR is being designed as a completely new 21st century railroad with current technology and management practices to provide capacity, velocity, reliability, service, safety, and sustainability in an environmentally friendly manner. Read More!

Comment Period Now CLOSED!

The Surface Transportation Board has updated the link for the GLB project. It explains how to file comments online or via email. Comments were accepted from March 18, 2016 to July 15, 2016.

http://www.stb.dot.gov/stb/environment/key_cases_GreatLakesBasin.html

Official Letter from Office of Environmental Analysis/Surface Transportation Board (3.18.2016) contains information on submitting comments electronically or via mail.

Comment Period Extension

The original comment deadline of May 16, 2016 has been extended to July 15, 2016.

Notice of 2nd extension

Notice of extension and two additional scooping meetings

EIS- Temporary Suspension Request

On December 1st, GLBT requested a temporary suspension of the environmental review process for GLBT’s project.” Click here to read their letter.

Great Lakes Basin Extension Request- February 28, 2017

Great Lakes Basin did not file an application with the STB on February 28th, and requested that the STB extend the suspension of the EIS until April 30, 2017, at which time they will either file the application or provide another status report. Click here to read GLBT's letter to the STB.

Great Lakes Basin Transportation:

Environmental Impact Study

Great Lakes Basin Route Narrative

The Great Lakes Basin Railroad (GLBR) is designed to provide a by-pass for railroad freight traffic that currently moves through the Chicago region without originating or terminating there. GLBR’s route will connect all six Class 1 railroads serving the region, as well as several regional and short line railroads, accelerating the flow of interchange between carriers without the delays and weather-related breakdowns that plague the Chicago terminal today. GLBR is being designed as a completely new 21st century railroad with current technology and management practices to provide capacity, velocity, reliability, service, safety, and sustainability in an environmentally friendly manner. Read More!

Notice of intent

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement; Notice of Availability of the Draft Scope of Study for the Environmental Impact Statement; Notice of Scoping Meetings; and Request for Comments on Draft Scope of Study. SUMMARY: Great Lakes Basin Transportation, Inc. (GLBT) plans to file either a petition for exemption pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502, or an application pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10901, seeking authority from the Surface Transportation Board (Board) to construct and operate an approximately 278-mile rail line. According to GLBT, the proposed rail line would extend generally from near La Porte, Indiana through Illinois to near Milton, Wisconsin and would connect with existing Class I railroads.

The construction and operation of the GLBT’s proposed rail line has the potential to result in significant environmental impacts; therefore, the Board’s Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) has determined that the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is appropriate pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The purpose of this Notice of Intent is to inform stakeholders—including members of the public; Tribes; federal, state, and local agencies; environmental groups; potential shippers and other parties— interested in or potentially affected by the proposed project.

OEA will hold public scoping meetings as part of the NEPA process. Comments submitted during scoping will assist OEA in defining the range of alternatives and potential impacts to be considered in the EIS. OEA has developed a Draft Scope of Study for the EIS for stakeholder review and comment. Public meeting dates and locations, along with the Draft Scope of Study, are provided below. This Notice of Intent initiates the EIS process and scoping.

DATES AND LOCATIONS: The public scoping meetings are over.

OEA invites written public comments on all aspects of the Draft Scope of Study and is providing a 60-day public comment period which begins on March 18, 2016. Comment period was extended to June 15, 2016 on April 8, 2016.

These written comments may be submitted (1) during the scoping meetings, or (2) by mailing or electronic filing the comments using the filing instructions below.

Comments should be submitted by June 15, 2016 to assure full consideration during the scoping process. OEA will issue a Final Scope of Study after the close of the scoping comment period.

Full Printable Document Here

Comment Period Now CLOSED!

The Surface Transportation Board has updated the link for the GLB project. It explains how to file comments online or via email. Comments were accepted from March 18, 2016 to July 15, 2016.

http://www.stb.dot.gov/stb/environment/key_cases_GreatLakesBasin.html

Official Letter from Office of Environmental Analysis/Surface Transportation Board (3.18.2016) contains information on submitting comments electronically or via mail.

STB responded the following on March 3, 2017

“…I will grant your most recent request to extend the suspension of the environmental review process.

However, the Board is mindful of the need to move forward expeditiously with the environmental review process, as well as the project's potential impact on affected communities. The Board will anticipate receiving your application on or before May I, 2017. If you are unable to file, OEA will cease all work on the environmental review of GLBT's proposal, including taking down the project website (www.greatlakesbasinraileis.com).”

Click here to read STB's response to the GLBT's February 28, 2017 letter.

Proposed Manteno Railport

In response to the STB’s request to “provide and explain the dimensions of a reasonable foreseeable Railport that would accommodate the project purpose” (GLBT’s proposed Railport encompasses 14,700 acres in Kankakee County) GLBT states that: “the proposed Manteno Railport is intended to accommodate various service and functions of the proposed railroad and the railroad’s operating headquarters building and training facility. The Manteno Railport could also offer space for potential future development by third parties, including intermodal facilities that would benefit from a location with nearby interstate highway access…” GLBT’s full response is available here.