Public Lands

The Great Redwood Trail is a 320-mile rail-to-trail project connecting communities from San Francisco Bay to Humboldt Bay. This world-class, multi-use trail will make use of the Northwest Pacific Railroad right-of-way, traveling through some of the wildest and most scenic landscapes in the United States; traversing old growth redwood forests, running alongside oak woodlands, and winding through the magnificent Eel River Canyon.

After Friends of the Eel River’s critical victory at the California Supreme Court in our challenge against the North Coast Railroad Authority, California Senator Mike McGuire introduced SB 1029, the NCRA Closure and Transition to Trails Act, which provided funding to dissolve the NCRA and begin planning for the Great Redwood Trail. Three years after SB 1029 was signed by the Governor, the California Legislature passed Senator McGuire’s SB 69, the Great Redwood Trail Act, which establishes the new Great Redwood Trail Agency and authorizes it to complete railbanking and to “plan, design, construct, operate, and maintain” the Trail.

For our part, FOER is excited about the opportunities to introduce new visitors to the spectacular and remote portions of the Eel River. We look forward to encouraging ecologically appropriate river-access, assisting with interpretation featuring the rich Indigenous history and diverse wildlife, and of course cleaning up the mess left by a century of irresponsible railroad development.

Visit greatredwoodtrail.org to learn more about the trail and sign up for notifications.

Northwest Pacific Railroad and the North Coast Railroad Authority

Construction began on the Northwest Pacific Railroad in 1906 and was completed in 1914. A landslide delayed the inaugural run and golden spike ceremony, an appropriate start for a rail line in such a geologically fragile location as the Eel River Canyon.

In 1989 the North Coast Railroad Authority (NCRA) was established by the California Legislature and tasked with saving the rail line from total abandonment.

The Northwest Pacific Railroad was the first railroad to be officially closed by the Federal Railroad Authority. At the time of closure in 1998, the railroad contained more than 208 damaged areas along the 216 miles of track and was within numerous violations of the Fish and Game Code, Health and Safety Code and the Water Code, all meant to protect our Public Trust resources.

The NCRA’s efforts to manage the railroad presented a threat to fisheries recovery. The agency asserted that they could operate outside the regulations of the California Environmental Quality Act, and ultimately in 2011 Friends of the Eel River and Californian’s for Alternatives to Toxins filed joint notices of intent to sue.

History of FOER and CATs v. NCRA

2011	Press Release: Environmental Groups Challenge Railroad’s Failure to Review Impacts July 20, 2011
2013	Press Release: Court of Appeals Denies Railroad’s latest Attempt to Avoid Trial March 6, 2013Press Release: Environmental Groups File Appeals in Railroad Case July 8, 2013
2014	Press Release: California Supreme Court to Review North Coast Railroad Lawsuit December 11, 2014
2017	Video: FOER and CATs v. NCRA, oral arguments before the California Supreme Court May 3, 2017A Major Win: The Justices published their opiniondeclaring that California Environmental Quality Act does apply to state-owned rail projects. The NCRA responded by seeking appeal with the Supreme Court of the United States.Meanwhile, the California Transportation Commission in July asked the NCRA to “prepare a shut-down plan“, in light of their negligent use of state funds. In their annual report to the California legislature, the CTC suggests forming a legislative committee to “explore various scenarios for the Agency’s future”. July 27, 2017
2018	In January the California Transportation Commission heard testimony from representatives for the NCRA and Friends of the Eel River, as well as other stakeholders in the future of the Northwest Pacific line. Click here to watch video footage of the hearing (select January 31 2018 Pt 2). Click here to read more about the CTC hearing.   In February, State Senator Mike McGuire introduced SB 1029, The Great Redwood Trail Act. The legislation is intended to dismantle the NCRA, railbank the Northwest Pacific line, and establish a multi-use trail along the canyon in a “rails to trails” process. Friends of the Eel River remain engaged in the drafting of this legislation to ensure that cleanup of the existing rail line (including removal of toxics and removing fish passage barriers) is fully funded, and that any trail development complies with California Environmental Quality Act. Click here to read more about FOER’s vision for the Great Redwood Trail. In April, the Supreme Court of the United States denied the NCRA’s petition to review the 2017 California Supreme Court ruling. This decision means that the State Supreme Court’s ruling stands, and the NCRA remains subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act.

Questions and Answers about the NCRA
By former NCRA commissioner Bernie Meyers

2021

Consultant in NCRA Rail Takeover Bid Says Project Has Been Misrepresented, But Document Reveals Coal Connections and Wiyot Tribe Involvement
Lost Coast Outpost, September 28, 2021

Utah port Authority Memos Reveal Coal Industry Ties to Coal Train Specter
Salt Lake Tribune, September 25, 2021

Is Coal Industry Behind Secretive Plan to Preserve a Defunct California Railroad
Salt Lake Tribune, September 9, 2021

Aiming to Ship Coal Out of Humboldt Bay, Shadowy Corporation Makes Bid to Take Over NCRA Line
Lost Coast Outpost, September 2, 2021