The short answer is all the tideland behind the ROW around Humboldt Bay (Beatrice, Elk River, Freshwater Creek, Jacoby Creek, Manila) would be part of the bay much of the winter if it wasn't for the railroad. The bulkhead at Elk River takes the full force of ocean tides and winter swells through the jetty and is in bad shape. Chances are some public money would have gone into it anyway even if it remained private property. A locomotive tender from one of the few 0-6-0 switchers NWP had is part of the rip-rap at the south end of the bulkhead. From Highway 101 you can tell the structure is failing. I'm surprised they waited this long to do something. The rails are ten feet in the air at one location. A line of rocks keeps the bay at bay. Local eco groups would like to see the whole thing flooded like a 150 years ago.

The long answer is........why would anybody want to spend money in Eureka??
ARD