Train accident would be devastating

In response to Bob Herron’s response dated March 18 to my letter:

Bob, I think you completely missed my point in regards to the oil trains, the Flathead River and Flathead Lake. I am NOT anti-BNSF or against using oil or gas. I also am not using any NIMBY scare tactic. All I am doing is stating the facts.

And the facts are that every day:

— 3 million gallons of crude oil rolls down Marias Pass in a pipeline on wheels. It follows the southern boundary of Glacier National Park and goes right next to the Flathead River for 100 miles.

—Historically, trains have derailed and gone into the river.

—The current tank cars being used are known to fail in derailments.

—None of that oil will ever be used by me or Bob Herron. Our oil and gas comes from Billings via pipeline, truck and rail.

I fully understand the economic benefit of BNSF to the Flathead Valley. The elimination of one train a day simply cannot have that large an economic impact, as compared to ode broken tank car in the Middle Fork of the Flathead River.

And, there is no way this lost revenue is worth the risk to Glacier National Park, Flathead River and Flathead Lake that this train over that pass brings to the Flathead Valley.

So, Bob, start riding your bicycle and do a little more research on this issue.

Webber is a resident of Kalispell