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By Art Hughes
September 27, 2000
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While the DM&E project raises significant questions for communities all along the route, Rochester has consistently been the epicenter of opposition. Most cities, large and small, along the tracks have signed agreements with the railroad. But Rochester has steadfastly refused to compromise.
THE MAYO CLINIC has played a significant part in getting government leaders and citizens involved in the discussion. Mayo lobbyist Tim Geisler says Mayo's concern centers on the institution's proximity to the tracks.
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For more than two years, anti-DM&E signs have been a common sight in Rochester. Paul Wilson is an Olmsted County Board member and prominent voice against the proposal. He says now that the draft environmental review is released, opponents will step up efforts to generate public sentiment against the project. He says he expects any agreements between other cities and the railroad to falter as more details of the proposal emerge.
"When all is said and done, that narrow base of support, that's very small, very shallow if you will, won't hold up," he says.
Wilson is a member of a private group with the stated objective to stop DM&E from expanding. The head of that group, John Wade, says this battle will be similar to the campaign waged to win a local tax increase to rebuild parts of downtown after a devastating flood in 1978.
"Just as we rose to fight and to advocate this flood-control project and ultimately succeeded, we will need to amass the same effort, the same scope of effort to stop this project through this city," Wilson said.
State transportation officials have had limited involvement in the debate. Rochester Senator Sheila Kiscaden says she'd like Gov. Jesse Ventura's office to speak up to the STB.
"We are a major economic driver for the entire state of Minnesota," Kiscaden points out. "And this rail line poses a real challenge to the city. This is a pivotal moment for the city in terms of its future."
The STB document effectively avoids the issue of a new track around the city by saying the board needs more information.
Kathy King lives south of Rochester, in an area where city officials have previously proposed a bypass. She says the STB document appears to be based more on politics than environmental concerns. She says despite the STB's decision, the opponents still sound as if they're willing to foist the problem off onto their rural neighbors.
"Exaggerated scare tactics, misinformation that we've poked holes in two years ago; we've been around for two and a half years and we've had a lot of information we've been able to garner and document," she says.
King says even after all the public comments are on record with the Surface Transportation Board, the discussion is far from over.
"My best guess is there will be all kinds of filings and legal maneuverings and a lot of tax dollars in whatever comes down from the STB," she says.
The federal agency has already doubled its customary 45-day comment period. Opponents say they'll push to extend the window even further to 180 days.
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