Struggling To Maintain An Equestrian Lifestyle October 22 On Thursday, October 22, 2009, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) conducted a public meeting to discuss the Memphis Regional Intermodal Facility proposed in Fayette County. The meeting was from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at The Bank of Fayette County in Piperton, TN. TDOT is initiating National Environmental Policy Act analysis for the proposed intermodal facility for Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NSR). The facility would be designed to handle and transfer containerized intermodal freight between rail and truck. The purpose of the meeting was for the public to review and comment on the potential environmental impacts, areas of concern of the proposed project, and/ or issues requiring analysis in environmental documentation. A brief presentation was followed by a question and answer session. Citizens were afforded the opportunity to communicate with TDOT officials and share their ideas on alternatives. Representatives of TDOT were available to assist with the exchange of ideas, as were representatives from AMEC, the firm conducting the environmental assessment. A substantial proportion of the overflow crowd at the meeting was horse owners and horse farm owners. Neighbors came to hear the latest news about Norfolk Southern’s plans for the former Twin Hill Ranch near Rossville, TN. Representatives from TDOT recorded comments from citizens about the potential impacts on the future of their community. Some mentioned the potential positive economic impact of such “growth;” others had strong concerns about the traffic, noise, and other changes coming to their rural lifestyles. One expressed his doubt that any comments would make a difference since it is already “a done deal.” If you were unable to attend the meeting, there is still time to make comments to TDOT. The deadline is November 12, 2009 to send comments on the project, and they will be included in the transcript of the meeting. Comments must be received within 21 days of the date of the public meeting. Please send comments to: Project Comments, Attn. Tom Love Tennessee Department of Transportation Suite 700, James K. Polk Building 505 Deaderick Street Nashville, TN 37243-0332 For information about AMEC’s transportation planning division, visit their website: http://www.amec.com/sectors/transportation.htm