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NCRA (North Coast Railroad Authority) |
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The North Coast Railroad Authority (NCRA) was formed in 1989 by the California Legislature under the North Coast Railroad Authority Act, which was intended to ensure continuation of railroad service in Northwestern California. In 1992, the State purchased the railroad line from Willits north. In 1995, the State then added the railroad line from Healdsburg north to the NCRA's holdings and provided for a joint powers authority, the Northwestern Pacific Railroad Authority (NWPRA) to own the right of way from Healdsburg south to Schellville in Sonoma County, where the railroad then feeds a 12-mile shortline through Napa County which connects to the Union Pacific mainline at Fairfield-Suisun in Solano County. The NCRA has an easement that gives it the right to operate freight trains on the Sonoma-Marin Area Rapid Transit (SMART) tracks north of Highway 37 in Novato. The NCRA does not need voter approval to begin this service and can do so as soon as it has completed capital improvements on the right-of-way, after years of deferred maintenance. In Marin, the right-of-way runs through substantial areas of sensitive wetlands, marshlands and wildlife habitat. 2010 Documents and Correspondence
2009 Documents and Correspondence |
Advocacy in action
New developments in Marin are closely monitored by the Land Use and Transportation Committee
Committee members of the North Marin Unit review a map at their monthly meeting
Pelicans in Point Reyes National Seashore - a park followed by the Parks and Open Space Committee
photo by Bob Grace
