Based on the ever-growing opposition to the Freight Rail Dependent Use, the Legislature should consider repeal of the legislation that allows for this chaos to continue. As reported by The Columbian, recently the city of Battle Ground unanimously adopted a resolution to oppose this legislation. Clark County has spent years in legal battles with the irresponsible and ungovernable rail operator, wasting insane amounts of taxpayer funds. The funds to resurrect the derelict rail line are taking away from improving and enhancing our current infrastructure.
In the infancy of this project, the operator has faced violations from the Environmental Protection Agency, disregarding our water resources and our endangered fish population. The rail line runs through sensitive landscapes and heavily trafficked areas. It runs near schoolyards and through neighborhoods. The towns that sit on and around the 33 miles simply do not have the capability for emergency and hazmat response should there be a derailment.
This is such irresponsible governance by the county and a predatory act on the citizens that live here. The Legislature should intervene and repeal Senate Bill 5517.
