Port board approves STB filing-exemption, staff says EA narrows federal review; community concerns to be relayed to STB
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Summary
The Plaquemines Port Harbor and Terminal District board approved a resolution authorizing a petition for exemption to the Surface Transportation Board, which staff said will allow an EA instead of a full EIS and shorten federal review. Commissioners also reviewed community concerns from Ironton and pledged further federal-led outreach.
The Plaquemines Parish Council, acting as the Plaquemines Port Harbor and Terminal District board, voted to authorize the port’s executive director to file a petition for exemption before the Surface Transportation Board, a step staff said would avoid prior-approval delays and allow the project to proceed under an Environmental Assessment rather than a full Environmental Impact Statement.
Port staff told commissioners the STB decision to accept an EA instead of a full EIS should shorten federal review from about two years to roughly one. “The STB has granted the port the EA instead of having to go for a full EIS,” staff member Blake said during the presentation, calling the change “a big plus whenever it comes to getting the sign off from the STB.” Commissioners approved the resolution, with the vote recorded as seven ayes and one member absent.
The resolution authorizes the executive director to proceed with the petition and to use outside counsel; staff identified Venable, a Washington, D.C.–based law firm the port has worked with on the project, to prepare and file the petition. Port staff said the filing seeks exemption from about $112,000 in STB filing fees given the port’s public-entity status.
Commissioners and staff also described outreach work in Ironton and neighbouring communities. Staff said they attended an Ironton town hall, documented resident concerns about rail alignments near ball fields, noise and safety, and relayed those concerns to the STB. Staff said a preferred alignment would avoid cutting through the ball field and that third-party, federally led town halls will follow so community voices are captured by neutral parties.
Before the vote, commissioners asked about process and follow-ups: who would file, how the port would be informed of STB decisions, and whether subsequent steps would return to the board. Staff responded that Venable would file the petition and that the port would report back to commissioners if and when the exemption is granted, at which point the project would move to the next regulatory and construction steps.
The board’s action does not authorize construction; it authorizes staff to pursue regulatory relief that staff say will shorten federal review and allow the port to proceed with next-phase project planning if the exemption is granted.
