The North Coast Railroad Authority (NCRA) has submitted reports to the Surface Transportation Board in support of its proposed railbanking of the Northwestern Pacific Rail line from Willits north to Eureka. This includes branches of the line in Samoa, Korblex, Carlotta, and Blue Lake. Friends of the Eel River submitted comments to the Surface Transportation … Read more
Last month the State published their Assessment of the North Coast Railroad Authority and Viability of the Great Redwood Trail. This hundred-page legislative report was developed by a multi-agency task force including representatives from CalTrans, State Parks, the Natural Resources Agency, Department of Finance, and Department of General Services. This report contains no big surprises, … Read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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