EDITOR: Sonoma
Land Trust would like to add to the June 13 article, ³Trains could be ticket to
solving trash woes,² about utilizing rail to ship local refuse via trains. In
addition to the North Coast Rail Authority, the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit
(SMART) district has jurisdiction along this alignment and could also reap
financial gains from new freight train service. A portion of the former
Northwestern Pacific Railroad alignment between Novato and Schellville is now
owned by SMART. This segment of the rail route bisects the land trustıs baylands
restoration area, southeast of where Highway 37 and Lakeville Highway intersect.
The rail lineıs location is a significant consideration in the land trustıs
restoration of tidal wetlands in the region. The rail across the restoration
area has not seen regular maintenance in years and needs several upgrades before
being reactivated.
Fortunately, representatives from SMART have been
quite involved in the siteıs restoration planning, and the potential to
incorporate major ecological benefits into any rail upgrades appears promising.
Sonoma Land Trust looks forward to further positive collaboration that
integrates environmental restoration and avoids additional truck traffic on
Highway 101. Together, the outcome is enhanced quality of life.
JOHN
BROSNAN
Baylands project manager, Sonoma Land Trust, Santa Rosa
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