(Continued from page 5)

diction over freight railroads and the Surface Transportation Board (STB), I have been working with senior officials from both companies and the STB to address the growing number of rail service issues. On April 1, 2014, I sent letters to senior officials at BNSF and CP railroads to reaffirm my concerns and share the growing frustration from South Dakota shippers whose livelihoods depend on the ability to get bulk goods to market by a particular date.
• I will continue working with the STB and other stakeholders to make both CP and BNSF aware of the issues SD shippers are facing as we work to improve the current situation. The STB will be holding a public hearing on April 10, 2014, in Washington, D.C., that will be focused on BNSF and CP railroads' efforts to improve service and producing an estimated timeline for a return to normal service. Senior officials from BNSF and CP will appear before the STB and impacted shippers are also invited to appear to review proposed solutions to the existing service problems and discuss additional options to improve rail service.