Great Lakes Basin transportation, Inc. plans to file a request with the Surface Transportation Board seeking authority to construct and operate an approximately 178 mile rail line.  The proposed rail line would extend generally from LaPorte, Indiana through Illinois to Milton, Wisconsin and would connect with existing Class I railroads.

The Board's Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the potential environmental impacts of the proposed rail line.

To assist OEA in determining the scope of EIS, OEA  will hold eight public scoping meetings in the project area and they are:  Manteno, IL  ~  Lowell, IN  ~  Wanatah, IN  ~  LaPorte, IN  ~  Janesville, WI  ~  Rockford, IL  ~  Rochelle, IL  ~  Seneca, IL.  Each meeting will begin with a 1 hour open house followed by a brief presentation by OEA and a formal public comment period during which interested parties will have the opportunity to convey oral comments.  

For more information, please visit the Board-sponsored project website at www.GreatLakesBasinRailEIS.com or call Dave Navecky at 202-245-0294.  Scoping comments are due by May 16, 2016.