RES 1235RESOLUTION NO.1235
A RESOLUTION expressing concern about potential adverse
impacts from the presence of increasing numbers of coal trains
passing through the City of Camas,and requesting the appropriate
authority to require an environmental impact statement that
identifies the impacts to the City of Camas.
WHEREAS,there would be a significant increase in the number of coal trains passing
through the City of Camas,and
WHEREAS,the expanded number of coal trains would result in an increase in train travel
noise and frequency of horn blowing,and
WHEREAS,the Burlington Northern Santa Fe track bisects the communities of Camas
and Washougal in an easterly/westerly direction,and
WHEREAS,Washougal has five at-grade crossings,and only one overhead crossing,and
WHEREAS,the City of Camas provides emergency medical services to the City of
Washougal,and
WHEREAS,the City Council is concerned that the substantial increase in coal train
traffic will result in closure of at-grade crossings with greater frequency and for longer times,
thus resulting in traffic congestion that can potentially impact emergency service response times,
and
WHEREAS,the Council is concerned about the impact on our community's health,
environment,safety and businesses from coal dust and other particulates which may be blown or
fall from open coal cars,
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CAMAS AS FOLLOWS:
I
We urge the appropriate authorities to require an environmental impact statement that
identifies and measures the impacts on our community from the significant increase in coal train
traffic.
II
We request that the impact statements include impacts to traffic from increased closure of
at-grade crossings,impacts to the City of Camas's ability to render emergency services due to
inability to cross the train tracks,and health and safety impacts related to coal dust and other
particulates being blown from open coal cars.
m
We urge the appropriate authorities to hold at least one of the environment impact
statement scoping hearings at a location in Clark County.
ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Council of the of Camas this day of
I
March,2012.f
i <•>/SIGNED:
Mayor (s
/
/(O wATTEST:-r /
Clerki
’PRO *.
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City Attorney