STOP CONSTRUCTION OF A BSNF INTERMODAL FACILITY IN WITTMANN, ARIZONA! Friends and Neighbors … The time has come for each of us to become personally involved in stopping the BNSF Railroad from constructing a massive intermodal hub in Wittmann, Az.  This project will have a devastating impact on this long-established rural community as well as significant negative impact on nearby communities and the entire Valley of the Sun. Together, we constitute an enormous voting block determined to protect and preserve our quality of life, to include both health and physical environment in the entirety of Maricopa County. This Call for Action asks you to do the following: · Sign this petition, which will be forwarded to our County and State officials  · Write or call Debbie Lesko (and all members of our Maricopa County Board of Supervisors), Governor Hobbs, the State Congressional Delegation, and inform them of your concerns.   Their contact information is posted below.  IN YOUR COMMUNICATION PLEASE STATE: "OPPOSE ZONING CHANGE CPA2024006 AND CASE Z2024072" · Visit the Facebook public group: WEST VALLEY/BNSF RAILROAD FORUM (www.facebook/groups/westvalleybnsfrailhub for updated information, commentary and notification of upcoming meetings.     Issues for your consideration: 1. BNSF has purchased 4,400 acres of public land surrounding the community of Wittmann on the north, west, and south sides.  Its plan is to construct the largest InterModal Rail hub in the U.S., on 4,312 of those acres. 2. The main roadway servicing the Wittmann area is US highway 60. It runs through the entirety of the Valley of the Sun, the West Valley communities of Surprise, Sun City, Sun City West, The Grand, Wittmann, Morristown, and Wickenburg.   3. Traffic concerns for impacted communities include increased congestion due to the projected additional 7,200+ vehicles per day by end of 2028 and 22,000+ vehicles per day by year 2038 in a facility operating on a 24/7 basis. 4. Ground water contamination from diesel and chemical spills is a distinct possibility.  Apparently, BNSF does not have a developed plan to deal with catastrophes in the West Valley. 5. An electrical grid will need to be built to support the facility 6. Wastewater treatment facilities will need to be constructed 7. Flood control measures will need to be effected given the 18,000,000 square feet of concrete that will be poured in construction of the project.  This will alter the flow of water (heading toward the Hassayampa River) during the monsoon season. 8. The Air Quality Index (pollution) in the entire Valley of the Sun will continue to degrade even more rapidly with smog generated by the additional thousands of wheeled vehicles and locomotives. 9. If built, will Wittmann become a Port of Entry for shipments from overseas?  If so, this is the perfect “Trojan Horse”, and a legitimate national security issue.   10. Existing roads running throughout the entirety of the West Valley may be inadequate to facilitate an ordered MASS EVACUTION due to a HAZARDOUS MATERIAL spill.  Recall the EAST PALESTINE, OHIO, incident in 2023?  Additionally, blocked emergency access to nearby hospitals just off of Highway 60 may become life-threatening situations. 11. What measures will be taken to ensure crime is not an issue in this facility? 12. Dark Skies, natural vegetation and wildlife must be preserved … how is this to be done? 13. The COST CAUSER in this matter is the BNSF railroad, NOT the communities of Wittmann, Sun City West, Corte Bella, The Grand, Sun City, Surprise, El Mirage, and the rest of the Valley of the Sun (as the additional smog blows west to east).  BNSF should bear the financial costs of this creation, and NOT THE TAXPAYER. 14. Lastly, it appears that Maricopa County does not require an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT in matters of zoning.  In case of such gravity as this carries with it, why not?  Millions of citizens will be adversely impacted by this project if it is built in Wittmann. Stand firm with protecting the West Valley!  PLEASE WRITE OR CALL THE FOLLOWING OFFICIALS: MARICOPA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS: District 4 Supervisor Debbie Lesko
301 W Jefferson
10th Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85003
602-506-7642
District4@maricopa.gov  District 1 Supervisor Mark Stewart
301 W Jefferson
10th Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85003
602-506-1776
District1@maricopa.gov District 2 Chairman Thomas Galvin
301 W Jefferson
10th Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85003
602-506-7431
District2@maricopa.gov District 3 Vice Chair Kate Brophy McGee
301 W Jefferson
10th Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85003
602-506-7563
District3@maricopa.gov District 5 Supervisor Steve Gallard
301 W Jefferson
10th Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85003
602-506-7092
District5@maricopa.gov   GOVERNOR HOBBS CONTACT INFO: Constituent Engagement Office of the Governor 1700 W. Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85007 602 542-4331 engage@az.gov azgovernor.gov   ARIZONA STATE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION CONTACT INFO: Representative Beverly Pingerelli:   602 926-3396   bpingerelli@azleg.gov   Representative David Livingston   602 926-4178 dlivingston@azleg.gov   Senator Frank Carroll 602 926-3249 fcarroll@azleg.gov