All Aboard? – Not even close!
By Wendy Sigmund
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is trying to force the abandonment of the Felton Branch Rail Line, according to a statement published by the Roaring Camp CEO Melani Clark.
On February 3, 2022 the RTC will meet to discuss the various issues associated with the future of rail in Santa Cruz County. The issue is three-fold, as are most developmental decisions which need to be made. First is the environmental aspect. As climate change affects all regions of the county, country, and the world this aspect must be considered as we make our decisions. Second is how to promote healthy communities. This includes safe corridors for biking and walking to destinations as an alternative to automobiles. Third is the economic aspect. Jobs are important to all in our communities. The rail is a way to connect these communities. The options are being highly debated. Should Santa Cruz County continue freight lines? Is this better than transporting all goods via trucks on the highways? Should the RTC invest in commuter trains and/or Tracks-to-Trail programs? Is that the best way to ease congestion on Highway 1? Would a passenger rail increase tourism, which affects the economic side of the debate, and is important for most small businesses? Some people see the passenger train as a way to bring in tourists and give commuters an alternative to driving; some see the issue as a “not in my backyard” issue, and yet another is the very hefty price tag which includes an environmental report. Then there is the Greenway Initiative. This is a measure that will be on the ballot in June. The argument is “should the rails be ripped out for good?” If this is done, then it is irrevocably done. There will be no putting them back. They want to replace all rails with trails, instead of opting for both. Then there is the No Way Green group which states that taking away the option to put in a passenger rail will increase equitable disparity of transportation for the underprivileged and people with disabilities. It will take away commuter options, thus further clogging the roadways, and damage the fragile ecosystems currently housing the rails. The “not in my backyard” voice entering the debate is the Aptos Nisene-Rio-Gateway (NRG), an Aptos group which formed in 2021. This group is looking out for the interests of Aptos. Most, if not all, trains will go through Aptos- whether freight or passenger. They will be impacted by any decision made by the county. NRG says “In order to back down from trail-only development, we have to give up freight. They say right below the bullet point that they have always been neutral in the less than a year that they have existed. They have stated on their website, under the heading “which side is NRG really on” that they want Roaring Camp to abandon the rails; to make it easier for the RTC to move forward with replacing the rails with trails. This of course brings us full circle back to how to protect Roaring Camp. Most people who grew up in Central California have multi-generational memories of the train through the redwoods. It would be tough for locals to let it go. Looking at the issue of the green train, Coast Connect says on their website- “We envision a transportation system that includes reliable eco-friendly electric passenger rail, a 32-mile rail trail connected with a neighborhood trail network, and safe streets built with room for people so we can walk, roll, and ride freely. Bicycle lanes, sidewalks, rideshares, and synchronized bus-and-rail transfers will provide convenient safe connections to the places we’re going.” The project began in 2019 and is expected to be completed in 2030. Local voter-approved Measure D funds are already allocated for a portion of this project. In addition, there is funding from the State of California available as part of the State Rail Plan, and a variety of other future-funded sources that could be explored and adopted to fund rail and other mobility improvements in our county. Rail-banking is a method by which freight rail lines, proposed for abandonment, can be preserved for future freight rail use through interim conversion to trail use and other uses. According to the Rail-banking fact sheet it does not require the rail to be removed. Under rail-banking, the RTC can proceed with constructing either a rail-with-trail or a rail-to-trail project. The RTC has not taken any action to rail-bank the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line. The debate will rage on. It is unlikely that everyone will get everything they want. It would be great, for example, to have mass moved by train rather than congesting the roadways. It would be great to have a green electric train span the county to ease the crowded roadway. It would be great to have a nice walking and biking trail also spanning the length of the county. Can we have it all? Is it only the price tag that holds some people back? As the issue continues to unfold, the Bulletin will bring you the information you need to make the right choice when voting in June.
Further resources
This is misinformation that is being promoted by trail advocates.
Please read the RTC FAQ and Q & A
(https://sccrtc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Railbanking-Fact-Sheet-and-FAQ_final.pdf)
and the February 3rd agenda packet, page 22-1, at:
https://sccrtc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/2022-02-03-RTC-agenda-packet.pdf
and the RTC Web page:
(https://sccrtc.org/rtc-to-receive-informational-report-at-the-feb-3-commission-meeting-regarding-potential-adverse-abandonment-action-for-freight-service-only-on-the-felton-branch-line-and-the-relationship-to-the-poten/)
for accurate information of the RTC position.
The train in the Redwoods etc brings in tourest $$$$ to SC. the trail NEVER will !!! No other redwood ride is even in the same league ,,,ours is by far the best ,save it for future generations !!!