TRRAAC request to attend Feb. 2nd Manheim Twp. meeting

TELL MANHEIM TOWNSHIP COMMISSIONERS TO SAY "NO" TO RISKS FROM AN UNNECESSARY RAIL YARD 1000 FEET FROM YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!

Your Neighborhood’s Attendance is Crucial at the Next Manheim Township Commissioners' Meeting

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9th at 7:30pm


Did you know that last spring – a mere 10 months ago, Norfolk Southern engineers, Gannet Fleming, submitted storm-water management plans for the proposed rail yard to Manheim Township? Neither did we, until we stumbled across Manheim Township staff comments buried in the file of the Lancaster County Conservation District (LCCD) when we reviewed that agency’s approval of the storm-water discharge that will occur when F&M excavates the existing asbestos-laden dump.

Why should that bother you? Because it is unclear as to whether the excavation will impact the floodplain and whether the storm-water that comes in contact with excavated areas will be tested for or include contaminants before it discharges to Little Conestoga Creek. It’s equally unclear whether anyone will notify East Hempfield Township since the Little Conestoga runs along the township line.

What's troubling, too, is that neither storm-water plan is posted on F&M’s website. In fact, neither plan was submitted on behalf of Lancaster General Hospital or F&M. The state plan was submitted by LCSWMA and the local plan was submitted by the railroad. Why? This is yet another example of behind-the-scenes activities that are designed to leave out public input, public opinion and certainly public awareness.

What has TRRAAC been doing for you? TRRAAC and the public were denied the right to notice and comment on the state plan and we learned that Manheim Township was also not properly notified of their opportunity to comment. We wrote to the Commissioners and copied DEP and LCCD. To date, we have NO RESPONSE from the Board of Commissioners, DEP or LCCD. And digging will begin any day now.

The bottom line is that the new rail yard site is IN Manheim Township, and the Commissioners have the responsibility of protecting their residents. They have the power entrusted in them to make decisions for the welfare of their constituents. That is why YOUR attendance at this meeting is of paramount importance. If you, your neighbors and friends remain silent, the Commissioners will assume that their constituents believe what Lancaster General Hospital and Franklin & Marshall have convinced our legislators: that moving the rail yard to the proposed location is such a boon to Lancaster City that it is worth placing Old School Lane Hills and Barrcrest communities at risk.


At the meeting, please ask the Commissioners:
--to state their individual opinions ON THE RECORD as to their position
on the current rail yard site.
--to request DEP suspend the state approval of the cleanup
--to demand F&M disclose any and all applications relative to this project
--what you and other Manheim Township residents can do to stop this process
--to be more transparent in informing the public when they receive any information
and plans relative to this project

In the meantime, please log onto www.fandm.edu and review all of the details pertinent to the impending excavations, including the truck route (which is extraordinarily close to some Old School Lane Hills and Barrcrest homes), the tree removal plan and six-day-a-week truck schedule.

Please visit www.trraac.com for full detailing of correspondence, legal fact finding and other pertinent information. Thank you for joining TRRAAC in supporting the revitalization of North West Lancaster by choosing an alternative location for the rail yard that poses no risk to neighborhood residents.

We look forward to seeing you at the February 9th Manheim Township Commissioners' Meeting, and hope you will come with friends and neighbors. The more residents who attend, the stronger the message!