There is a wild card here to be considered. IF the NCRA and NWP THOUGHT that there was absolutely NO possibility of the North end ever reopening than all of this is a mute point. However, I think they might want to keep the door open for future developments. Why would these two "environmental groups spends millions to prevent something from ever happening and why would NCRA and NWP fight to keep the door open? The Port of Eureka is vital to the future economy of the North Coast. The Port of Eureka and the Port of Oakland may partner in getting the funding to rebuild the line from Willits to Eureka for about $500 million. The reason, is that on the Great Circle shipping route from China and Japan, Eureka is a day closer then Oakland. Time is money and money is time and with the changes in the global market, inter modal, container traffic and the widened Panama Canal, it is still cheaper and faster to off-load on the West Coast and rail the containers to the Mid-West and East. Additionally, Oakland is at capacity and there is no additional land for more cranes and loading tracks. ,Eureka is the logical place for Port of Oakland to use Eureka as a satellite port. The Port of Eureka has already deepened the Harbor to 42 feet and is in the permitting process to deepen to 52 feet to accommodate the biggest Panamex ships. Transit time from Eureka to Schellville will still be around 12 hours and and additional hour to the Cal. P. at Fairfield, this is a still half a day faster then Oakland. $500 million is pocket change when you look at the global economy. ,One other important fact to consider, because the Eel is protected under the Federal Wild and Scenic River Act. IF the NWP were to be abandon and the row picked up, the same type of construction to restore the railroad would have to be done to do the work. ,Slides cleared, roads constructed, Tunnels cleared, culverts fixed, bridges repaired, etc. After the rails and ties are picked up THEN the service road constructed will be use to maintain the cleared ROW during the winter to make that debris flows, mud and slides don't pollute the water which is a requirement under the Wild and Scenic River Act, i.e. it would cost just as much to tear it and it would to restore it. Additional costs include the yearly maintenance and slaries. ,Rails to trails would involve the same process and same expenditure. ,NCRA has officially acknowledged the Eureka to Redding idea and offically supports it as well. At some point, in the not to distant feature, the Feds will want to know from NCRA (North Coast Rail Authority) what plans they have for the damaged line. Also understand that the line has NEVER been offically abandonded either by the NCRA or thru the STB. Right now, the NCRA is seeking funding of $20 million to restore servie from Arcata to Scotia for the Humbolt Bay Railroad which will haul logs, finished lumber to the PORT, sand and gravel. It will aso allow Timber Heritage Association to run excursion trains.
I would love to hear feedback on this. Look up the Wild and Scenic act, few people are aware of what is requires if the railroad is picked up. Put that in your pipe and smoke it! Mike Pechner