NorCal NIMBYs begin fight against high speed rail line

Articles — By forcechange on August 8, 2008 9:34 am

The affluent Bay Area cities of Menlo Park and Atherton joined a group of plaintiffs that are filing suit today against the California High Speed Rail Authority.  The plaintiffs are alleging the Authority violated environmental laws in their preparation of the environmental impact documents.  However, of course, their real complaint has little to do with the “environment,” but is instead related to residents’ concerns that the elevated high speed rail line running through their town would be an eyesore and could also require the relocation of some people living along the tracks.

Duh.  That’s what happens when major public works programs are pursued–the cityscape is altered and people living in the way are, unfortunately, forced to move.  More unfortunately, however, is the complete predictability of this lawsuit.  In this day and age, NIMBYs sue under environmental laws anytime they don’t like a construction project.  Oftentimes, these litigious obstructionists need not even win their lawsuit, but merely hope to create enough delay and cost overruns that the plan dies on its own.  Either way, the taxpayer bears the cost.