12/23/2025
Hello Silver Lakes residents and property owners,
BNSF Railroad is planning a massive expansion in Barstow CA. You can read about it at www.BarstowCA.org. Their Environmental Impact Statement did not include how the project would impact on our community of Silver Lakes / Helendale, and we have major concerns!
The City of Barstow has released the Draft EIR (DEIR) for a public review period between November 10, 2025 and January 5, 2026. They did not give us a lot of time and it’s during the holiday season.
Please consider the letter below to email to the listed representatives.
You can cut and paste the letter into your email or mail it. There is an area at the end of the letter that can add your concerns, if you choose.
Our voice needs to be heard. This letter is supported by the Silver Lakes HOA and the Helendale Community Service District.
Make every email count! The deadline to respond is January 5, 2026.
Thank you for your participation,
Artie DeVries
Realtor, Property Manager, and a 37 year resident of Helendale.
CUT AND PASTE THE LETTER BELOW TO YOUR EMAIL
__________________________________________________________________
Mail To: City of Barstow
220 East Mountain View Street, Suite A
Barstow, CA 92311
E-Mail To: [email protected]
Cc: First District Supervisor Paul Cook ([email protected])
Luther Snoke, CEO, San Bernardino ([email protected])
Subject: Public Comment on BIG DEIR – Impacts to Silver Lakes / Helendale
Please accept the following comments as my personal concerns regarding the proposed BIG project. As a resident of Silver Lakes/Helendale I am deeply concerned about the impact that the BIG project will have on our community’s safety, accessibility, and overall quality of life. Silver Lakes is home to thousands of residents, including teachers, healthcare professionals, BNSF employees, and other critical workers who commute throughout the High Desert region.
Our community already experiences frequent and extended delays at the Vista Road railroad crossing, our primary point of ingress and egress. With the potential increase in rail activity expected from the BIG project, these delays will worsen, posing even greater serious risks for emergency response times, school transportation, and the daily movement of ambulances, residents and workers.
It is unfortunate that the negative impact to our community, which is only four miles from the project, was not considered or addressed in the DEIR. I respectfully request that the DEIR and Final EIR clearly address the following issues specific to the Silver Lakes/Helendale community:
• Emergency Access: Impacts on emergency response times for paramedics, fire, and law enforcement, as well as school transportation and evacuation needs, and identify feasible mitigation measures, including the construction of a grade separation (overpass) or an alternative access route for Silver Lakes.
• Hazardous Materials: Provide a clear disclosure and disaster response plan that will address potential spills, derailments, and other emergencies.
• Cumulative Impacts: Evaluate how the project’s rail expansion will affect small rural unincorporated communities such as Silver Lakes/Helendale as well as Oro Grande that will be affected by rail movement.
• Mitigation Commitment: Ensure that the Final EIR includes clear and enforceable commitments to fund or support grade separated access improvements or equivalent emergency access solutions for Silver Lakes/Helendale before project operations increase train traffic through our area.
Thank you for considering these concerns. I respectfully request that Silver Lakes/ Helendale be included in the environmental impact analysis to ensure that appropriate mitigation measures are implemented to maintain safe access to our community.
Sincerely,
Signature: ________________________________ (You can remain anonymous if you prefer.)
Print Name:
Mailing Address:
Helendale, CA 92342
(Please feel free to write any additional concerns below about experiences you have had with the railroad tracks being blocked.)
