Easton Officials Submit South Coast Rail Mitigation Letter to State

After months of collecting resident input, public hearings and debate, Easton officials submitted a final mitigation letter regarding the South Coast Rail to the state last week.

The letter, constructed by Town Planner Brad Washburn expresses concerns regarding public safety, noise, environmental impact and aesthetic impact, among other things. While officials attempted to extend the May 27 deadline for submitting resident input, state officials would not extend the deadline.

"It’s very comprehensive," Selectman Sean Noonan said Monday night, acknowledging Washburn's efforts.

The letter, voted to be drafted after to join in his town's efforts, demands that certain actions are taken to ease the impact of the rail - which, according to the letter, would have significant effects on Easton. The letter is a response to a study released earlier this year by the Army Corps of Engineers that identified the Stoughton route (which runs through Easton) as the primary alternative for the rail.

"The Town of Easton is extremely concerned about the potential impacts of the project alternatives within the preferred Stoughton corridor," the letter states.

While Easton voters said they disapproved of the rail, they voted not to fight it with litigation. It was a , which has chosen to possibly fight the rail legally and didn't join Easton and Raynham's fight to ease impacts.

The letter is broken up into eight areas of concern: Public safety, tansportation, visual, noise and vibration, open space and land aquisition, natural resources, wetlands, and water resources.

In each category, specific areas of concern are identified, and state officials are asked to clearly identify solutions to the problem. The environmental impact statement, the letter states, does not provide specifics.

"As the DEIS/DEIR only provides summarized information for each project alternative, we request that the Final EIS/EIR be required to provide additional, detailed information on project impacts and mitigation measures," the letter states.

The letter calls for safety education programs, public crossings, upgraded roadways and traffic corridors near the rail, limited visual impact near Easton's historic districts, identification of affected properties relating to noise, and redistribution of open space or wetlands that may be affected.

Easton's water resources are also highlighted in the letter, specifying drinking water concerns.

"Any adverse impact to the wells could have a devastating effect on the town's ability to supply an adequate water supply to residents," the letter says.

To view the entire mitigation letter, click on the attached .pdf.

For more information on the rail, click here.