Timeline
Here is a chronology of the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad’s attempts to get approval for its expansion/upgrade project:
o4 Feb. 20, 1998 — DM&E makes application for federal approval of expansion/upgrade project. Initial stated project cost: $1.4 billion.
o4 Dec. 10, 1998 — Surface Transportation Board finds proposal worthy of review. Decision to follow upon completion of environmental review.
o4 Sept. 27, 2000 — STB sub-agency, Section of Environmental Analysis, issues Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Interested parties file comments.
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o4 Nov. 19, 2001 — SEA issues Final Environmental Impact Statement.
o4 Jan. 30, 2002 — STB issues decision approving DM&E project. Opposing parties later appeal.
o4 Aug. 29, 2002 — DM&E and parent company, Cedar American Rail Holdings, file application to STB seeking approval of their acquisition and control of former IMRL, now named the Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad.
o4 Feb. 3, 2003 — STB approves the application — with a condition that coal traffic not be permitted on the IC&E until after further environmental review.
o4 Oct. 2, 2003 — Eighth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals renders decision in the STB challenge. The decision is partially remanded to the agency for further review.
o4 April 15, 2005 — SEA issues draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.
o4 Dec. 30, 2006 — SEA issues final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.
o4 Feb. 15, 2006 — STB issues decision, again approving DM&E project.
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o4 April 14, 2006 — Rochester, Mayo and other parties file petition to review. Eighth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals agrees to hear the new case.
o4 May 11, 2006 — DM&E petitions STB to remove coal-hauling restriction on IC&E.
o4 Monday — Oral arguments before U.S. Appeals Court judges in St. Louis.
