WASHINGTON — A U.S. Coast Guard official asked to meet with the parties involved in the Amtrak Gulf Coast dispute says the service branch will deal directly with federal regulators, the parties have informed the Surface Transportation Board.
In a joint filing Monday by Amtrak, CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern, and the Alabama State Port Authority and Terminal Railway Alabama State Docks, the four parties say they contacted Commander Doug Blakemore of the Eighth Coast Guard District in response to the board’s request to meet with the Coast Guard over possible drawbridge schedulilng on the proposed passenger route between New Orleans and Mobile, Ala. [see “STB asks parties in Gulf Coast hearing to be prepared …,” Trains News Wire, March 14, 2022]. After outlining a meeting agenda, possible dates, and attendees, Blackmore said the Coast Guard had decided to engage the board directly.
The parties are asking that communication between the board and Coast Guard be in writing, and posted to the docket in advance so that each party has a chance to respond as needed, or in writing at a later date. Each party also reserves the right to call a representative of the Coast Guard as a witness at the hearing set to begin April 4.
It also blocks the litigants from spinning the narrative in their favor. Smart move by the USCG commander.
This should simplify things for the USCG; they respond to and deal with the STB rather than each litigant.