FROM THE ARCHIVE

Support mixed on Black Hills railroad

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2001

Job benefits and support for domestic energy are cited as some of the positive aspects of a major expansion of a railroad through the Black Hills and the Powder River Basin on Wyoming.

But environmental impacts of the proposed Dakota Minnesota and Eastern Railroad expansion have worried some, including ranchers and members of area tribes. They are worried about the impact of the rail and the coal mining it will bring.

The Department of Transportation's Surface Transportation Board last week issued a final environmental impact statement giving a favorable approval to the project. The project involves laying down almost 300 miles of new track from the Black Hills in South Dakota to the Powder River Basin coal mines of Wyoming.

It would also replace 600 miles of existing track in South Dakota and Minnesota.

Get the Story:
Positive report on rail line gets mixed reviews (AP 11/27)

More on the Expansion:
PUBLIC NOTICE: Release of Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Notice of Public Meetings and Public Comment Period Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad’s (DM&E) Proposed Powder River Basin Expansion Project

Relevant Links:
Surface Transportation Board - http://www.stb.dot.gov
DM&E - http://www.dmerail.com

Related Stories:
Black Hills rail gets approval (11/20)
Court battle seen over Black Hills rail (11/1)
Report due on Black Hills railroad (10/15)
Interior opposes railroad expansion (4/2)