https://www.sdmts.com/about-mts-meetings-and-agendas/sdae


Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Report on the Desert Line

Ms. Landers revisited the status of the progress on building a new Customs facility near the border. During the site visit with California Border Patrol (CBP) and its NII equipment vendors, NII determined that it was feasible to build an NII machine at the proposed location at the border tunnel, which is CBP’s preferred location. Two vendors submitted rough budget estimates to Baja Railroad (BJRR) in September 2019. The next steps are for BJRR to select a vendor and submit plans to CBP. So far to date, there has not been any work done by BJRR.

Ms. Landers informed the Board that BJRR did not make its January 1 payment to MTS; therefore, MTS sent BJRR a 10-day notice to cure letter by January 13. BJRR then requested an extension to January 31, which was granted by MTS. This issue is going as a closed session agenda item to the MTS Board of Directors at its January 16 meeting. BJRR has been informed that permission is being requested for the CEO to have the discretion to terminate the contract if payment is not received by January 31. Ms. Landers stated that the goal is to see this project happen and not to prematurely default; however, BJRR will need to start work on the project.

Public Speaker: R. Deutsch

Ms. Deutsch stated that it is her understanding that BJRR has taken steps to discourage trespassers on the Carrizo Gorge section of the Desert Line by locking gates to block tunnels and arrange for periodic enforcement. Ms. Deutsch added that is easy to find ways around those blocked tunnels, and it is commonly known that security only issues warnings or they are often absent. She stated that hordes of people manage to get to the Goat Canyon trestle.

Ms. Deutsch stated that her main concern is that one of the bypasses around the tunnels leads to the tracks beyond the tunnels, and this detour passes through a sensitive archeological site, which has been the target of damage and looting. Access to the shortcut is via railroad property.

Ms. Deutsch stated that the railroad unwittingly contributes to the ongoing defilement of priceless historic resources and theft of artifacts by not better enforcing its own rules and regulations.

Ms. Deutsch reported that presently, the Dos Caballos region of the Desert Line is one of the illegal track crossings. It is some distance from the site of the former Dos Caballos railroad station. Over the years, rocks and bricks have been manipulated by visitors to allow motor vehicles to cross over the tracks at the station site. After the illegal crossing, dirt roads lead to the tracks just west of Tunnel 20 thereby avoiding Tunnels 20 and 21, which are currently blocked by locked gates. This route goes through and to SD&AE’s engineering and survey camp and to a construction camp. She added that there are fragile remnants of structures and artifacts worth saving.

Ms. Deutsch has encountered many cars, trucks, and motorcycles using the route headed to the Goat Canyon trestle. During a hike last year, Ms. Deutsch’s group was accosted by a man who had parked his truck in the survey camp, and they saw a large collection of artifacts on the hood of his truck.

Ms. Deutsch suggested that a barrier be constructed that could block vehicles from illegally entering the short section of track crossing at Dos Caballos (Mile 109.7), which would be a simple low-cost measure to protect this area. It was agreed that
Ms. Deutsch will give Ms. Landers a tour of the area.
Action Taken