CSX resolution back on table
By Steve Herring
Published in News on April 14, 2016 1:46 PM
A resolution in support of a proposed CSX intermodal freight terminal in nearby Four Oaks will be back before Wayne County commissioners Tuesday but minus two offending paragraphs that had raised the unpopular specter of eminent domain.
The nearly 500-acre, $272 million Carolina Connector terminal would transfer shipping containers between trucks and trains, including those serving the state's ports in Morehead City and Wilmington.
While they supported the general concept, during their April 5 session several commissioners bowed at the prospect of the county encouraging the railroad's use of eminent domain to take land for the project even though landowners would be compensated for the property.
The resolution calling on commissioners to support the project had been included in the consent agenda for their April 5 session.
Consent agenda items are normally voted on with little-to-no discussion, but the resolution was moved to new business at the request of Commissioner Ray Mayo.
Mayo bristled at two paragraphs in particular in the resolution -- one saying that the board "supports the assemblage and acquisition of the property needed for terminal construction and operations" and another that urged "engagement with affected property owners in Johnston County prior to and throughout the process to work toward a beneficial outcome."
That, he said, is the same as voicing support for the use of eminent domain.
Chairman Joe Daughtery, who had placed the resolution on the agenda, expressed frustration at the board's reluctance to support the resolution.
He finally asked that the board unanimously agree to table the resolution, which it did.
CSX wants to build the massive facility in the Four Oaks community, an approximately 45-minute drive from Goldsboro.
But as was the case for the railroad's initial choice of an area between Selma and Micro in Johnston County, the Four Oaks site is running into opposition from community residents.
"I have deleted the two paragraphs that alluded to assembling and acquiring the necessary property," County Manager George Wood said in a memo to the board. "The concern expressed was that the board of commissioners did not want to be perceived as encouraging or endorsing the use of eminent domain by CSX for this project. With those references deleted, I believe the resolution simply endorses this project as beneficial to Johnston County and to eastern North Carolina.
"Bear in mind that one of the criteria for this terminal, which we have confirmed with NCDOT's chief railroad official, Paul Worley, is that the terminal has to have access to I-95 and be within a 35-mile radius of Raleigh. That pretty much confines it to Johnston County or possibly a small portion of northern Harnett County."
Wood also said that the N.C. Southeast Regional Economic Development Partnership, of which the county is a member, supports the project.
"They also encouraged their county partners and the business community to voice their support for the project," Wood said. "We are in the process of working with the Southeast Regional Economic Development Partnership, and several of the area counties to form a rail service coalition similar to the US 70 Corridor Coalition.
"This coalition would lobby for improved rail service in southeastern North Carolina. An intermodal terminal would be a huge boost to rail service here."
Wood is recommending that commissioners adopt the revised resolution showing support for this "critical" economic development project.