Reasons for rejecting Railbanking and Rails to Trails on the BPRR Erie/Cattaraugus corridor:
1) Cost To Purchase - Tax Dollars
2) Cost To Construct- Tax Dollars
3) Cost To Maintain - Tax Dollars
4) Security - Tax Dollars
5) Negative impacts/concerns not met: Privacy, aesthetics, safety, property values, lifestyles, environmental (wildlife, water, foliage,) limited access, sustainability, insurance costs, increased cost and liability to State and adjacent owners/residents, instigates litigation.
6) Denies adjacent land owners the opportunity to purchase this land thereby denying Town and State tax Revenue while increasing Town/State/National debt load and liability.

7) Impedes and/or denies landowners access and use of motorized vehicles, farming and lumber equipment, target and hunting practices, etc.

8) Exists in close proximity to West Valley Nuclear project.

9) Proponents are not working with the adjacent property owners as stipulated, despite their contrary claims. Nor are they held responsible for ameliorating problems arising from granting public access into what has always been private space.

10) Proponents, being Non/ Not-for profit groups, do not truly meet the requirements for “trail sponsors” as they are not held financially or legally responsible.
11) Corridor sections are prone to flash floods and soil erosion.

12) Traverses entirely through watershed and right-to farm communities.

13) Multiple alternate routes for Rail use and transportation exist.

14) History of derailments and excessive maintenance costs deem this ROW unsustainable as a contiguous entity for any use, be it with public or private funds.

15) History of rail trails cost analysis indicates economic benefits don’t substantiate cost of implementation, nor do local merchants see substantial improved commerce.

16) Optional recreation projects divert tax funds from necessary services.

By signing petition, I Oppose Rails to Trails and railbanking along the BPRR line from milepost 8.4 in the Town of Orchard Park, Erie County, New York and mile post 36 in the Town of Ashford, Cattaraugus County, New York, ( STB Docket No. AB-369 (Sub-No. 7X).)

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