Archive for Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Genah Burditt: Spur countywide issue
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Steamboat Springs — An important date for our community is quickly approaching. On Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Routt County Courthouse Annex, the Regional Planning Commission will hold a special use permit hearing to discuss whether or not it is in the best interest of the Routt County community to allow Xcel Energy to build a railroad spur consisting of two solid concrete retaining walls, 3,000 feet long and 27 feet high, across the nature preserve at Carpenter Ranch in Hayden.
This is not a Hayden-only issue; it is a countywide issue. The nature preserve at Carpenter Ranch is one of the most unique, and therefore precious and protected resources in Routt County. However, due to poor media exposure, most citizens of Routt County, outside Hayden, are unaware that this is even a possibility, and worse, it has been portrayed as inevitable. It is not.
While Xcel does have a right of way, when granted the use was intended to be limited and reasonable. And, primary studies by Xcel Energy, and a third-party feasibility report conducted by an independent consultant, cite several other options for locating the railroad spur.
As a citizen, I want to know more about these other options and their potential impacts so I can make an informed choice; and I want my choice to be heard by the Planning Commission.
It is our right as citizens of Routt County to choose the best long-term use of our lands. I personally have a voice to remind the Planning Commission that to put a concrete bridge of this magnitude across agricultural land with a permanent conservation easement seems unreasonable and inappropriate. The habitat, wildlife and sustainable agricultural practices at Carpenter Ranch are infinite resources to be enjoyed by our community for the long term. This has already been recognized by our community, and that is why the land was preserved.
The community as a whole also has a voice, but we can only become informed and voice our opinions if we show up. Please note that the commission is generally inclined to grant permits unless there is strong evidence and/or community sentiment to do otherwise.
Genah Burditt
Steamboat Springs
Comments
another_local (anonymous) says...
I wonder if it is possible to run the rail line to the mine from Oak Creek and decommission the line throug the Yampa Valley between Oak Creek and Steamboat and from Steamboat to Hayden.
The abandoned right of way could be sold for a lot of money and the portion running through town could become a traffic bypass.
September 5, 2007 at 6:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fish (anonymous) says...
I think that the Nature Conservancy will pull out all the stops to try and get the public on their side. I they would much prefer that the line go down a little bit farther across private property than to cut across theirs. It is truly not a matter of stop this from being built it is just we don't want it in our yard put it in the neighbors. If I had heard one person say that this project needs to be stopped I would find it a lot easier to get behind them, but everyone just wants it to be the neighbors problem instead of theirs including another_local who just wants all trains to stop going through Steamboat, I guess that it must detract from the view for the tourists.
September 5, 2007 at 7:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beentheredonethat (anonymous) says...
traffic bypass idea is solid. how would that work?
September 5, 2007 at 10:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
another_local (anonymous) says...
I am imagining a two lane bypass that runs on the rail right-of-way from about treehouse to somewhere near the new justice center with cross streets at Pine Grove, Emerald park access road (whatever that is called), 5th street, and 11th. with no other places to get on or off or parking on the sides, through-traffic would move right along.
September 6, 2007 at 5:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
twostroketerror (anonymous) says...
Traffic by pass is the best idea I've heard in this town yet! I love the train that annoys many. My dog loves it, a group howl dose us all good. I really like how the valley shakes (really I'm kind of a train geek). But I would trade it all to be able to go from 129 to 131 in less than 30mins. We can always dream...
September 5, 2007 at 3:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hometown (anonymous) says...
no it is not possible to abandon the rail thru steamboat. talk about disruption. Excel has a existing easement thru the carpenter ranch. When this whole project started the rail cost was at 23 million Now its estimated at 45 million. Its all been about not is my back yard. We do need the power. Yes the nature conservancy will pull out all the stops. Can we hunt, fish enjoy the nature conservancy to its fullest or is it just for the select few? Share and share this valley alike
September 5, 2007 at 9:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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