Request for comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Chicago to Council Bluffs-Omaha Regional Passenger Rail System Planning Study Iowans who support passenger rail have a chance to make our voices heard as the Chicago to Omaha rail service study moves to the next phase. The comment period ends the day after Christmas, so please don't delay! There are three Open House Public Hearings scheduled in the next several days: December 11, 2012 - 4-7:00 p.m. Union Station, 500 W. Jackson Street, Chicago, IL December 12, 2012 - 4-7:00 p.m. Des Moines Botanical Center, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Oak/Willow Room, Des Moines, IA December 13, 2012 - 4-7:00 p.m. Council Bluffs Public Library, 400 Willow Avenue, Conference Room A/B, Council Bluffs, IA The Iowa Department of Transportation, in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration and Illinois Department of Transportation, has prepared a Tier 1 Service Level Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Chicago to Council Bluffs-Omaha Regional Passenger Rail System Planning Study. The study evaluates potential passenger rail improvements from Chicago, Illinois to Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). The Draft EIS is now available on the study's website at www.iowadot.gov/chicagotoomaha/ <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001sQOjU0PZAi5_lYwHXhPlTiWbb3ObPVS-JgguWCBc2ZZU STgZQCHxZQOKlKQQFypPl9CjFH5xDvytY8fEDhMkHpZC8v8Y_GOiv2qmwv9qaBGAiVrXx-UGYSfy SnlC41POEdpuXDfggtI=> for review and comment.. The comment period on the Draft EIS is now open and will close Dec. 26, 2012. We encourage you to participate - your input is important! Comments on the Draft EIS can be submitted any of the following ways: Open House Public Hearing Comments Complete a comment form or record a comment at one of the in-person open house public hearings scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. on: * Dec. 11, 2012, in Chicago, Ill. (Union Station, 500 W. Jackson Street, Great Hall Gallery) * Dec. 12, 2012, in Des Moines, Iowa (Des Moines Botanical Center, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Oak/Willow Room) * Dec. 13, 2012, in Council Bluffs, Iowa (Council Bluffs Public Library, 400 Willow Avenue, Conference Room A/B) For further details, please reference the study's website at www.iowadot.gov/chicagotoomaha/ <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001sQOjU0PZAi5_lYwHXhPlTiWbb3ObPVS-JgguWCBc2ZZU STgZQCHxZQOKlKQQFypPl9CjFH5xDvytY8fEDhMkHpZC8v8Y_GOiv2qmwv9qaBGAiVrXx-UGYSfy SnlC41POEdpuXDfggtI=> . Written Comments Mail your comments to: Amanda Martin Freight and Passenger Rail Policy Coordinator Office of Rail Transportation Iowa Department of Transportation 800 Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa 50010 Recorded comments Call the study's Toll-Free Information Line at 800-488-7119. Electronic comments Submit electronic comments by visiting the study's website at www.iowadot.gov/chicagotoomaha/. <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001sQOjU0PZAi5_lYwHXhPlTiWbb3ObPVS-JgguWCBc2ZZU STgZQCHxZQOKlKQQFypPl9CjFH5xDvytY8fEDhMkHpZC8v8Y_GOiv2qmwv9qaBGAiVrXx-UGYSfy SnlC41POEdpuXDfggtI=> Action alert forwarded from 1000 Friends of Iowa. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/