Hot Air! - Indeed!

Whether or not the NWP ever runs again, this might actually set a very bad precedent; being the first time that a railroad/state rail authority is required to pay for quiet zones, instead of those being paid for by the local towns that want them. It is inevitable - the question will get asked sooner or later: "Why is Novato so damn special - everybody else deserves it too - also at railroad or state expense".

It will get demanded anytime the railroad trys to build anything, or maybe even just heavy maintenance or renewals. If you think not, go take a drive down a so-called "Designated Scenic Highway" such I680, and enjoy the view of those wonderfully scenic soundwalls, which of course do very little to mitigate noise beyond 100 yards away anyway. But facts don't matter - the requirement for them is embedded in the law anyway anyway.

Those Nambi-Pambi NIMBY Lover politicians of Caliphonyia will see to it.