TRAINS: An insider's view

I have lived in the Bonners Ferry/Sandpoint area for 30 years. While now living in Sandpoint I am close enough to hear the engines and whistles as well as the clacking of wheels on the rails. Having worked for the Burlington Northern as a surveyor, I can attest to the number of derailments that can happen.

I have several concerns about Bakken oil shipments. The first is the frightening possibility of a derailment and explosion in North Idaho. The likelihood of an oil spill into one of the three major waterways along the routes is almost a certain given the number and length of trains, miles of twisting rail along those waterways and the factor or time. Another risk I have been studying since the late ’80s is how global warming has been steadily increasing and exacerbated by the burning of fossil fuels. My last concern are the numerous at-grade crossing safety and commerce issues. These crossings hold up emergency vehicles that are critical to saving lives, property and enforcement.

Now Congress is talking about lifting the crude oil export ban that was implemented in 1975, consequently leading to more volatile Bakken crude trains passing through North Idaho. There are now two proposals to expand crude oil terminals in Grays Harbor, Wash. If you are also concerned about the increase of crude oil trains through our town, go to the Washington Department of Ecology’s website to comment on the Grays Harbor terminals!

RODERICK BARCKLAY

Sandpoint