Mitsy: your entire statement defies logic except the CEQA requirement. I know the law and when public monies are involved then the rules change that triggers and EIR. I also know that the same requirement does not apply to a private railroad. I also know that FEMA has already granted the NCRA a categorical exemption when they received $9 million. The relationship between NCRA and however the operator is is absolutely none of your business or anyone else. How come all of a sudden Novato shows such an interest? Where was Novato when John Darling was selected as the operator? Whats good for the goose is not good for the gander? Trains were running when Darling was the operator. Where were you, Mike Arnold and the rest of the opposition? Bringing SMART into this and muddying the waters serves no purpose. Its an old trick in litigation to through everything but the kitchen sink so if things get thrown out you have something a judge will find something to uphold the suit. BOB2 is right on about the NIMBYS and the rest of the crowd you profess to represent. Someone wins on the 30th in the Marin Court and someone else wins on ELECTION DAY. Lets hope its the public and not the lawyers who are the victors in both cases. Don't give me this BS you are representing Joe Smith in Novato because he is worried about the nub=meer of freight trains through town. I think he is interested in an alternative to the congestion on 101.