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Email Sent to Federal Transportation Administrator and DART
Many residents have been engaged in the activities with DART's Cotton Belt/Silver Line. There was a biannual meeting on 8/4 where DART announced a new Memo to File process that allows them to make changes to the FEIS (federal environmental impact statement) with just a memo, but residents can submit comments to DART who will share them with the FTA. Many residents submitted emails regarding the Memo to File posting on DART's website about the Hillcrest Pump Station, which had a closing date for comments of 8/19. Many emails were shared directly with FTA, Councilmember Mendelsohn and City of Dallas staff.
After the closing, Councilmember Mendelsohn sent the email below to the FTA Regional Director, with DART and City of Dallas staff copied. This is being shared publicly, so residents can get an update on the collective response from their neighbors:
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I have received at least 86 emails that concern the pump station "Memo to File" since the 8/4 meeting and posting on the DART website, requested to be sent by 8/19/22. I know additional emails have been sent that I was not copied on, and can see that DART and you were on some, but not others. (Some emails include both pump station and additional issues)
As you read the emails sent to you directly and comments/issues DART may share with you, I think you will find them compelling and make the case for a supplemental EIS per 23 CFR.
Of note, the issues below were brought up repeatedly as reasons residents want and deserve to have a supplemental EIS issued:
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Adverse impact to the environment.
- Lack of information, vague language, and transparency from DART.
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They want to give published comments on the record about the negative impact this will have on them and have not been afforded this opportunity because DART purposely did not include it in the FEIS.
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The risks of the pump station haven't been published, including models and data.
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DART's FEIS rejects pump stations as a threat to public safety - see section 2-31, now DART wants to put one in and is ignoring the negative impacts they outlined previously in FEIS. The pump station threat was used to ignore the unified community input for a trench design.
- Noise, smell, landscaping, lighting, vandalism, security of the pump have not been fully shared or understood by the community.
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Design of the pump station has received no public input. The residents strongly prefer a pump house to blend with neighborhood v. 6-8 foot walls, considered an eyesore, but want an opportunity to understand all the options and pros/cons of the options. Even in the presentation on 8/4, the speaker gave a range on the height of the wall in the presentation, although the Memo to File specifically said 6 feet. This should be handled through a supplemental EIS.
- No data has been provided on the pump reliability and redundancy, power reliability, and pump capacity.
- Impact of the pump station on nearby home values.
- No information or data has been shared regarding the risk associated with pumped water being added to the Osage creek, the volume of water, and possible flooding of the creek and homes downstream during heavy rains.
- Negative impacts on Ivy Montessori school, located next door with a playground touching the pump station property.
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Public input has been ignored and continues to be ignored. The input given in these emails is quite clear - a supplemental EIS is needed. This same message has previously been emailed in recent months by hundreds of others who were not able to attend the 8/4 meeting.
Thank you for your consideration and public service.
Sincerely, Cara Mendelsohn
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