Communities Overview

From the Mississippi River to the Powder River Basin, DM&E’s and Canadian Pacific's proposed rail projects have unified people with similar concerns. The issues vary from town to town and state to state. What they all have in common is determination to protect their community – whether defined by city limits or way of life – from the irreversible impact of the railroads' plans for more freight trains, including up to 43 open-hopper, coal unit trains a day, higher speeds and more hazardous materials.

DM&E’s existing main line goes through 56 communities in Minnesota and South Dakota. Most are small towns that signed an agreement with DM&E to support the project. DM&E gave them little choice – sign if you want certain improvements.

In addition, several groups oppose or question the proposed rail extension to the Wyoming coal mines.

South Dakota:

Brookings - pop. 18,715	Aurora - pop. 458
Pierre - pop. 14,052	Wolsey - pop. 388
Huron - pop. 11,086	Blunt - pop. 360
Fort Pierre - pop. 2,069	Iroquois - pop. 258
Volga - pop. 1,442	Wessington - pop. 228
Miller - pop. 1,364	Harrold - pop. 206
De Smet - pop. 1,089	St. Lawrence - pop. 182
Arlington - pop. 952	Midland - pop. 158
Highmore - pop. 808	Cavour - pop. 133
Wall - pop. 808	Ree Heights - pop. 76
Philip - pop. 756	Quinn - pop. 45
Lake Preston - pop. 677	Hetland - pop. 40
Elkton - pop. 619	Cottonwood - pop. 6

Minnesota:

Rochester - pop. 96,975	Lewiston - pop. 1,485
Mankato - pop. 34,976	Tyler - pop. 1,118
Owatonna - pop. 24,133	Lamberton - pop. 805
New Ulm - pop. 13,619	Stockton - pop. 780
Waseca - pop. 9,445	Lake Benton - pop. 667
Kasson - pop. 5,333	Balaton - pop. 625
Byron - pop. 4,509	Claremont - pop. 609
St. Charles - pop. 3,526	Sanborn - pop. 402
Sleepy Eye - pop. 3,478	Minnesota City - pop. 218
Dodge Center - pop. 2,524	Dover - pop. 569
Janesville - pop. 2,148	Walnut Grove - pop. 561
Springfield - pop. 2.135	Utica - pop. 236
Tracy - pop. 2,089	Garvin - pop. 143
Eagle Lake - pop. 2,028	Revere - pop. 94
Eyota - pop. 1,708	Cobden - pop. 60

People Power Works

Tens of thousands of taxpayers joined forces to oppose giving a $2.33 billion federal loan to DM&E, a small company with big political connections, and in February 2007 the Federal Railroad Administration rejected DM&E's application, echoing our position in labeling the loan an "unacceptably high risk to federal taxpayers."

DM&E's ambitions have not changed, and informed citizens remain concerned about multiple aspects of the company's rail construction plans. What can you do?

Get Informed
Sign up to receive updates from the Track the Truth campaign.

Get Involved
Contact an organization that can use your support.

Make a Difference
Write an e-mail to your elected officials or a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.