Report sees little environmental impact from BNSF freight center in Gardner
(The following story by Brad Cooper appeared on The Kansas City Star website on July 13, 2009.)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. A new environmental report tentatively concludes that a railroad freight center proposed near Gardner wont significantly hurt the environment.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers report concluded that the 500-acre rail center that BNSF Railway wants to build would have minor adverse effects on regional air quality. The report expressed concern about dust from trucks entering and leaving the rail yard and the neighboring warehouse complex.
The economic development project, which would employ thousands, doesnt threaten any federal- or state-protected species. The project could affect nearby streams, but the Corps doesnt consider that to be significant because of the low-quality habitat and substantial mitigation measures that BNSF is planning.
The effects to streams and wetlands are expected to be minor to moderate, the report said.
The corps report acknowledges that the project will kill off some area wildlife, but animals already have suffered losses because of current railroad and agricultural operations. Construction activities could kill smaller, slow-moving wildlife species, the report said, but such incidents would be "uncommon and generally unavoidable.
The report said the rail center would not affect any schools or churches, but it could eliminate some parking spots at Johnson Countys Mildale Park. BNSF is working with the county to replace the parking, the report said, and the railroad plans to build a sound wall between an equestrian-style park and railroad tracks.
The report said the park will be aided by the project because BNSF plans to take out a portion of its tracks that bisect it. This would benefit the park by providing unimpeded access to the entire recreation area, the report said. Removal of this track through the center of the park is expected to improve noise impacts resulting in minor adverse to beneficial impacts.
Federal regulators also examined traffic coming from the new rail hub adjacent warehouse complex, which will be developed by the Allen Group.
The study concluded that the project would have moderately adverse impact on traffic, especially in the long-term on southbound Interstate 35 between 151st Street and U.S. 56.
The study found that six intersections within Gardner already are heavily congested. Plans are for three of them to be improved. The other three intersections plus one more (the northbound I-35 ramps to U.S. 56) would be in bad shape by the time the rail center opens, the report said.
The cycle of continued growth and roadway improvement is expected to continue for the long term until undeveloped land no longer exists, the report said. Therefore, the cumulative effect on roadways and traffic is considered as moderate and typical of an urban fringe area.
The proposed BNSF center has been one of the most hotly disputed economic development projects in Johnson County since it first surfaced in late 2005.
Area residents have been alarmed about how the project would change their community, including the environmental effects of bringing more locomotives into town.
The turmoil bubbled up again late last month when the Gardner City Council voted not to annex the land where BNSF wants to build its rail yard. The council decided to rethink that position last week. Meanwhile, BNSF and the Allen Group have been looking to make a deal with neighboring Edgerton.
There has been an effort in Gardner to recall two newly elected council members who wanted to break ties with BNSF and the project, which is planned for the outskirts of the city.
