In September, Senator McGuire introduced SB 307 to address the threat of outside interests seeking to haul coal through the Eel River Canyon by utilizing the NCRA rail right-of-way. This bill clearly asserts that state money shall not be used to “initiate, improve, or operate” rail service on the unviable North Coast rail line north of the City of Willits. This bill also prohibits any state money from being used to finance new coal terminal facilities in Humboldt County.
Friends of the Eel River supports the passage of SB 307 and is working to do everything we can to stop this toxic threat. Click here to read our letter of support.
At the federal level, we are working to ensure that federal funding is not used for similar purposes. At least one entity seeking to revive rail service, the Mendocino Railway (aka Skunk Train), has a pending application before the Department of Transportation’s Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing program. Click here to read Friends of the Eel River’s letter opposing this funding. And please join the effort led by the No Coal In Humboldt coalition to submit your own letter opposing federal funding for coal trains on the North Coast.