PATRICK LEAHY
VERMONT
COMMITTEES
AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND
FORESTRY
APPROPRIATIONS
JUDICIARY
United States Senate
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-4502
September 4, 2001
Ms. Annette Smith
Vermonters for a Clean Environment, Inc.
RR 1, Box 150B
Danby, VT 05739
Dear Annette,
I saw your "Letter to the Editor" in Sunday's Times Argus about the Rutland rail yard project. I appreciate knowing of your concerns, and agree that there are some serious issues that must be addressed.
The extent of my involvement in the project has been a meeting with a delegation of Rutland officials, including representatives from OMYA, about rail improvements to relieve congestion on Vermont roads in the western part of the state. Their plans include removing OMYA trucks from small Vermont town roads by putting their product in railroad cars.
In addition, OMYA would like to construct a rail spur to Middlebury and upgrade the rail line in Danby. The appropriation for the Rutland rail yard this year does not fund either of these other projects.
I will continue to monitor this situation closely and will surely keep your thoughts in mind. Thank you again for contacting me. Please keep in touch.
Sincerely,
PATRICK LEAHY
United States Senator
PJL/grc
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