Kings County supervisors are fed up with the High Speed Rail Authority. They say the proposed rail lines disrupt over 350 private farms and their questions about compensation have gone unanswered for months.
Dairyman Steve Gaspar points out the proposed east rail line through Kings County. It would cut through his family-owned dairy.
“It'll incapacitate this facility,” said Gaspar.
Even though HSR would only take a portion of his 120 acres, Gaspar says it would block his access to water and wipe out his father’s home; not to mention the effect loud trains would have on his 600 milk cows. He's just one of more than 300 farmers in Kings County losing sleep over the issue, which is why county leaders gathered Tuesday to ask Governor Brown for answers.
“There's no response. If we wanted to work with the High Speed Rail Authority, we wouldn't know who to work with because they don't respond to any of our issues,” said Doug Verboon, a Kings County Supervisor.
In his State of the State speech earlier this month, the governor made clear his intent to focus on High Speed Rail.
“President Obama strongly supports the project and has provided the majority of funds for the first phase. Without hesitation, I urge your approval,” said Brown on January 18th.
“I think if the governor is going to prioritize this project, he really needs to start working with the local governments to make sure those issues are going to be resolved,” said Greg Gatzka, Kings County Community Development Director.
Signs that say, “Here comes high speed rail; There goes my farm," are all over Kings County. Gaspar hopes their voices are heard before it's too late.
“If they're going to do it, they need to take the time before they make the alignment. Come talk to the people on the ground,” said Gaspar.
The governor’s office says Dan Richards, the newly appointed HSRA chairman, will respond to concerns in Kings County once he officially assumes his post on Thursday. Richards was just in Fresno on Friday, speaking at a Chamber of Commerce dinner.
