CSX agrees to work with New York village to clear problematic vegetation

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Monday announced that CSX Transportation will work with the village of Minoa, N.Y., to clear problematic vegetation along tracks in the municipality.

CSX officials have pledged full cooperation and soon will meet with the mayor and a representative from the senator's office to coordinate cleanup and maintenance, Schumer said in a press release.

The vegetation along the CSX's right of way has obstructed drainage areas and caused water to pool on roads during heavy rain storms, flooding basements in nearby homes, he said. The brush — which includes an invasive grass species — and debris also obstruct water runoff areas.
 
Schumer recently urged CSX officials to work with village leaders to develop a plan for clearing the vegetation, as well as for recurrent monitoring and maintenance along the tracks.

"Through the cooperation of CSX and the village, hundreds of dollars' worth of property flooding can be avoided," said Schumer. "I hope this will continue the positive relationship between CSX and Minoa, and I will track this issue until all the necessary debris is removed, root and branch."