Bridge EIS common theme at hearing

SANDPOINT — Calls for a more stringent environmental review was a common refrain during a public hearing on a second BNSF Railway bridge across Lake Pend Oreille on Wednesday night.

“The water quality of Lake Pend Oreille is extremely important to us,” said Bonner County resident Rebecca Holland, who supported calls for the bridge proposal to be subjected to a full-blown Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act as opposed to a less rigorous Environmental Analysis.

But local elected officials are divided on the question of an EIS.

The Sandpoint City Council has called for an EIS, while members of the Bonner County commission said they are satisfied with an EA.

“The fear is that with double the tracks we will have increased overall traffic, which increases the likelihood of a derailment, which could be catastrophic for this community environmentally, economically and in terms of the quality of life that we enjoy here,” Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad told Idaho Department of Lands officials during the hearing.

County commissioners Glen Bailey and Dan McDonald disagreed with the need for an EIS.

“This is premature and unnecessary,” said Bailey, the commission’s chairman.

McDonald said transitioning to an EIS would needlessly delay the project.

“That is precisely why we at the Bonner County commissioners’ office chose not to weigh on a recommendation to a call for an EIS,” said McDonald.

BNSF Railway has been touting the massive sums of money it pours into maintaining, improving and monitoring its rail infrastructure.

“Safety is key for us and this project. Not only will help make sure that freight can move more efficiently, it will also help with delays at grade crossings,” said BSNF spokeswoman Courtney Wallace.

But a number of people who testified during the hearing were unconvinced, particularly in light of hazardous material, crude oil and coal shipments making their way through town, in addition to over and along the lake.

“The railroads wants us to carry the risk with no reward,” said Hope resident Sandy Butler. “The question is whether they can operate it cleanly and safely. We need an EIS to answer that question.”

Matt Nykiel of the Idaho Conservation League asked IDL to closely examine the direct economic benefits to the city and the county, in addition to assertions that a second bridge will ease congestion on the existing railway bridge and blockages at at-grade railroad crossings.

“Those are all claims at this point,” said Nykiel.

One of the hearing’s most pointed remarks came from a Superior, Mont., resident who disputed BNSF’s contention that it is dedicated to environmental safety.

“I don’t believe them. They are not environmentally conscious, period,” said Tim Stengler.

But others saw the bridge as a safety improvement because it would reduce the strain on the existing railway bridge, parts of which are a century old.

“The risks to the environment and safety are reduced with this second bridge,” said Sandpoint resident Helen Newton.

Opponents of the second bridge contend a second bridge will double traffic, although BNSF and its supporters countered that such speculation has no basis in fact.

BSNF officials waived rebuttal after nearly 20 people testified during the hearing.

A ruling on the IDL permit request is expected in 30 days.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.