Tuesday, February 2, 2010

The Natural Resources Defense Council has joined efforts to stop construction of a large rail yard project in southwest Johnson County.

The environmental group filed a lawsuit Monday contending that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers did not adequately evaluate the environmental effects of the project. It claims the project would cause substantial air pollution for the entire region.

The corps has issued a permit to BNSF Railway to build a nearly 500-acre rail hub about 30 miles south of Kansas City. The railroad's plans include a facility where freight arriving on trains would be transferred to trucks.

A private developer would build a warehouse complex nearby.

The NRDC and other critics want the corps to conduct a more thorough environmental investigation.