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I was disappointed to read Ms. Wallace’s letter regarding the city’s decision to request that a full Environmental Impact Statement is performed for BNSF’s Sandpoint Junction Connector project.

BNSF’s assertion that it’s “premature and unnecessary” and even “unacceptable” to request an EIS is shortsighted when the project’s scope, coupled with the obvious direct, indirect and cumulative impacts, make an EIS the responsible choice. While BNSF’s preliminary EA submitted to the Coast Guard may minimize the risks to our community, it’s the federal agencies’ duty to independently and thoroughly analyze the project under NEPA, regardless of the applicant’s findings.

BNSF’s pushback on an EIS, the gold standard of environmental review, would be puzzling if the reasoning behind it wasn’t so clear. BNSF is spending significant advertising dollars to assure community members that they are good neighbors and value our safety. At the same time, BNSF is advocating for streamlined environmental review and swift permitting decisions.

It’s true that an EIS does take more time to complete than an EA, but given what’s at stake, the well-being of our community is worth it. If BNSF values our safety and protecting our environment as advertised, they should be first in line to encourage the Coast Guard to perform a full EIS. If BNSF has full confidence in their proposal, then there’s truly nothing to be afraid of.

SHANNON WILLIAMSON

Sandpoint

Executive director

Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper