Tell the FTA: protect U of M research

Greetings:

The U of M has reached a critical stage in its discussions with the Met Council over the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit (CCLRT) project. In order to protect University research and teaching facilities, vibration and electromagnetic interference (EMI) caused by CCLRT must not surpass current levels. Despite substantive and ongoing input from the U, the Met Council sent its Final Environmental Impact Statement to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) without adequately addressing the U's serious concerns about research mitigations.

We need your help to let the FTA know this CCLRT project must "do no harm" to the vital research taking place at the U of M. U research touches thousands of lives and addresses many of the critical issues of our day, including Alzheimer's disease, cancer, diabetes, and renewable energy. Over 80 University labs in 17 buildings along or in close proximity to Washington Avenue will be adversely impacted by train vibration or EMI if proper mitigation steps are not taken. One lab alone, the nuclear magnetic resonance facility in Hasselmo Hall, draws 160 researchers across 22 University departments: the research conducted here attracts more than $110 million in grant funding.

The U is preparing a detailed comment letter to the FTA on these concerns and others. Please contact the FTA today and ask them to ensure the CCLRT will do no harm to the U. Please submit your letter by 5 p.m. on Monday, July 27 to ensure it is reviewed by the FTA. Thank you!



Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
Principal Environmental Contract Administrator Kathryn O'Brien

Below is the sample letter:

Subject: Comments to Final EIS for Central Corridor Project

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

Re: Comments to EIS No. 20090212, Final EIS, FTA, MN, Central Corridor Project (FR Doc. E9-15141)

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

cc:
FTA Region V Administrator Marisol Simon

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What's At Stake:
The U of M has reached a critical stage in its discussions with the Met Council over the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit (CCLRT) project. Despite months of substantive input from the U, the Met Council sent its Final Environmental Impact Statement to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) without adequately addressing the U's technical findings and concerns regarding mitigation.

In order to protect current and future University research and teaching facilities, vibration and electromagnetic interference (EMI) caused by LRT must not surpass current levels. The U is preparing a detailed comment letter to the FTA on these concerns and others (following up on our May letter to the FTA). We need your help to let the FTA know this CCLRT project must "do no harm" to the vital research and teaching taking place at the U.

The U has been working with the Met Council for years on CCLRT mitigation plans. Over 80 University labs in 17 buildings along the Washington Avenue corridor will be adversely impacted by train vibration or EMI if proper mitigation steps are not taken. One lab alone, the nuclear magnetic resonance facility in Hasselmo Hall, draws 160 researchers across 22 University departments: the research conducted here attracts more than $110 million in grant funding.

U of M research touches thousands of lives and addresses many of the critical issues of our day, including Alzheimer's disease, cancer, diabetes, and renewable energy. Please contact the FTA today and ask them to ensure the CCLRT will do no harm to the U. Thank you!


Campaign Expiration Date:
July 27, 2009