HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Reso 2021-44 - Opposing the Application from the NCRC and Supporting Railbanking1
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-44XX
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH OPPOSING THE
APPLICATION FROM THE NORTH COAST RAILROAD COMPANY AND ENCOURAGING THE
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD TO SUPPORT RAILBANKING BETWEEN WILLITS
AND HUMBOLDT COUNTY
WHEREAS:
1.The North Coast Railroad Authority has recently sought permission from the federal Surface
Transportation Board to abandon failed, unused rail segments between Willits and Humboldt
County and have them railbanked for the development of the Great Redwood Trail; and
2.A corporation, whose principals have not been made public, called North Coast Railroad
Company and based in Wyoming, has recently submitted paperwork to the federal Surface
Transportation Board objecting to the railbanking for the Great Redwood Trail and saying they
intend to purchase the railroad; and
3.The proposed use is suspected to be for the transportation of coal that is mined in the Wyoming
region and bound for Asian nations; and
4.The North Coast Rail line was built on unstable ground, leading to erosion and washouts on a
regular basis, with possible impacts to the drinking water supply for nearly one million people in
Northern California, with the necessary repairs widely regarded as cost prohibitive; and
5.The Humboldt Bay, necessary for shipments by barge, would require significant modifications,
subject to local and Coastal Commission approval, in order to accommodate the proposal; and
6.The City of Ukiah and other agencies have invested in the development of the Great Redwood
Trail and support the concept of railbanking in order to preserve the rail corridor for viable,
beneficial transportation uses.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that:
1.the City of Ukiah hereby notifies the Surface Transportation Board of our strong opposition to
this application and declare that should be rejected outright;
2.Be it further resolved that we encourage the Surface Transportation Board to grant the request
of the North Coast Railroad Authority to railbank their rail line from Willits to Humboldt Bay.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 15th day of September, 2021, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Rodin, Duenas, Brown, and Mayor Orozco
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Crane
ABSTAIN: None
_______________________
Juan Orozco, Mayor
ATTEST:
Kristine Lawler, City Clerk
