NCRA

North Coast Rail Legal Settlement to Protect Health of Eel and Russian River Watersheds, Advance Great Redwood Trail Project

Settlement between North Coast Rail Authority, Friends of the Eel River and Californians for Alternatives to Toxics ends decade-long dispute, upholds bedrock environmental law and advances rail-to-trail project. Marin County, Calif. – The North Coast Rail Authority agreed in late April to a legal settlement with non-profit organizations Friends of the Eel River and Californians … Read more

A Free Flowing Future for the Eel River Within Reach

Friends of the Eel River is proud to play an influential role in advancing real solutions for Eel River watershed health and fisheries recovery, and we are grateful for your support and partnership. These are pivotal – and exciting – times for ensuring a more sustainable future for our region, and we take our obligation … Read more

Defending a Future for the Eel River

Defending the Eel River

Thank you for being a champion for the Eel River watershed. The staff and board of Friends of the Eel River are truly grateful for being able to count on you as a partner in our efforts to protect and recover our beautiful watershed. As we near the end of this politically and climatically turbulent … Read more

Governor Brown Signed the Great Redwood Trail Bill!

Tune in to hear Scott Greacen, FOER’s Conservation Director and Humboldt County’s 3rd District Supervisor Mike Wilson discuss SB 1029. Formerly known as the Great Redwood Trail Act, SB 1029 shifts the North Coast Railroad Authority’s mandate from developing rail infrastructure to developing trail from Willits north to Blue Lake and eventually preparing a shut-down … Read more

A New Day for Trails on the Northcoast – California Legislature Approves SB 1029

After more than 20 years of demanding accountability for and clean-up of the North Coast Railroad Authority’s (NCRA) failed rail line, Friends of the Eel River is thrilled to announce that a resolution to the saga is near. Sen. Mike McGuire’s Senate Bill 1029, previously titled “The Great Redwood Trail Act,” has passed the state … Read more

FOER Discusses Great Redwood Trail on Edgewise Radio

Support the Great Redwood Trail

   Edgewise Radio host Alicia Littletree Bales is joined by Stephanie Tidwell, Friends of the Eel River Executive Director for a discussion about The Great Redwood Trail Act (SB 1029). This proposed legislation could turn the zombie Northwest Pacific Rail into a vibrant hiking and biking trail along the Eel River corridor. Learn more … Read more

Defending, Restoring, and Enjoying the Eel River

Eel River Estuary

Keep those Great Redwood Trail Act calls to Brown’s office coming! As previously reported, Senator Mike McGuire’s Great Redwood Trail Act (SB 1029) will dissolve the NCRA and prioritize non-motorized trail development along the old rail right of way with the creation of the Great Redwood Trail Authority. (More details here). SB 1029 sailed through … Read more

Action Alert: Ask Governor Jerry Brown to Support The Great Redwood Trail Act

Tell Gov. Brown the North Coast Needs the Great Redwood Trail For decades now, the North Coast Railroad Authority (NCRA) has failed both to restore rail service the North Coast evidently doesn’t need and to protect the Eel River and its fisheries from the impacts of the failed rail line through the fragile Eel River … Read more

Inspiration and Hope Amidst Troubling Times

With such grim news coming from the national and international political and climate fronts these days, it can be difficult to appreciate the progress we are making. Here at Friends of the Eel River, we’re heartbroken and outraged by the atrocities currently being committed in America’s name, but we’re also damn proud of the work … Read more

Support for Great Redwood Trail Act, SB 1029

  May 10th, 2018 California Senators and Assembly Members State Capitol Sacramento, California Re: SB 1029 Great Redwood Trail Act — Support Dear California Legislators: As representatives of the California conservation and sustainable recreation communities, we offer our wholehearted support for Sen. Mike McGuire’s Great Redwood Trail Act (SB 1029). It is profoundly important that … Read more