Environmetal impact assessment proposed Farmington-Thoreau railroad

摘要

ABSTRACT.;The economic development of Northwest New Mexico depends on an uninterrupted flow of the energy resources that are extracted from the San Juan Basin. The extraction of these minerals primarily coal, oil, and natural gas is beginning to drive the demand of a 110-mile railroad spur connection to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe transcon rail line. It is understood that transportation of these commodities by rail constitutes a critical option for the future socio-economic development of the Four Corners region.;Currently the Navajo Nation, as well as other agencies within the region are studying the possibility to construct and operate a proposed rail line as they seek more opportunities to derive alternative revenues streams that the line would generate.;The principal objective of the present research work was to prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the construction and operation of the proposed railroad, as well as to evaluate other possible alternative routes. This EIA addresses the environmental consequences of the proposed action and alternative based on an in depth review and analysis of available quantitative and qualitative information.;Two routes were identified as being worth of analysis in this document; the proposed action and an alternative route. The alternative route would cause the least environmental impact because of its shorter length, however, environmental impacts of greater significance in the short and long term are expected from the proposed action especially for resources such as soils, vegetation and natural topography. A detailed description and analysis is presented below.;Keywords: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA); railroad; Thoreau; Farmington; Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF).