Protect Mendocino County’s rail future
By Robert Jason Pinoli
President, Mendocino Railway
The future of Mendocino County’s transportation network stands at a pivotal crossroads. The Great Redwood Trail Agency, formerly the North Coast Rail Authority, is poised to make a grievous error by severing our vital connection to the national railroad network. This move threatens to eliminate significant economic opportunities and environmental benefits, making it imperative that we, as a community, call upon courts and political leaders to intervene and protect our rail infrastructure from this misguided initiative.
The NCRA has been a controversial entity, squandering over $141 million of taxpayer money with little to show for it. Rebranded as the Great Redwood Trail Agency, it continues to make decisions that disadvantage Mendocino County. While tracks are being preserved south of our border to benefit Sonoma and Marin counties, the trail agency aims to dismantle our rail connection, denying us similar benefits. This blatant disparity is not only unfair but also harmful to our community.
Mendocino County deserves the same opportunities as its southern neighbors. The trail agency’s attempt to force a hostile abandonment of the Skunk Train would erase a vital piece of history and eliminate potential economic and environmental benefits. Consider some of the important facts:
The Skunk Train, with customers ready to ship 400-500 railcars of freight annually, has the potential to reduce nearly 2,000 trucks on Highway 20 each year. This reduction in truck traffic would alleviate road congestion, improve safety and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Rail freight is significantly more efficient than trucking, capable of moving one ton of freight nearly 500 miles on just one gallon of fuel.
California has ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2030. Achieving these goals in Mendocino County requires maintaining rail connections. The Great Redwood Trail Agency’s efforts to dismantle our rail infrastructure contradict these environmental objectives. At a time when the Biden administration is investing billions in reconnecting communities through initiatives like the Reconnecting Communities Institute, cutting Mendocino County off from the national rail network is counterproductive.
The rail agency’s strategy of building a trail over existing tracks under the guise of preserving rail opportunities is misleading. Historically, few preserved rail lines have ever been reopened. The agency’s plan to bury tracks beneath a trail at a cost of up to $1 million per mile is a thinly veiled attempt to permanently eliminate the possibility of rail use. This move does not serve the best interests of Mendocino County’s residents and businesses.
It is troubling that some local political leaders support the trail plans. Mendocino County should not be a doormat for the interests of wealthier counties like Sonoma and Marin. Our representatives must prioritize the needs of their constituents. This includes maintaining rail infrastructure, which is crucial for economic development, environmental sustainability and preserving our county’s unique heritage.
Railroads are inherently safer and more environmentally friendly than trucks. Mendocino Railway has a strong track record of environmental stewardship, winning numerous awards alongside our sister company, Sierra Northern Railway, which is pioneering zero-emission hydrogen locomotives. The company is committed to investing in Mendocino County, enhancing its industrial capacity and protecting its environment.
Our community must take a stand against the Great Redwood Trail Agency’s plans. We must publicly oppose the forced abandonment of Mendocino Railway’s California Western/Skunk line. It is not too late to prevent this catastrophe and secure a prosperous and sustainable future for Mendocino County.
Our rail connection is not just a piece of infrastructure; it is a lifeline for economic growth, environmental sustainability and historical preservation. Mendocino County’s future depends on our ability to maintain and enhance this critical resource. The time to act is now. Let’s stand together and demand that our railroads remain an integral part of our community.
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