Thursday, January 10, 2008

"RUST BELT" GRAVEL MINE INSTEAD OF BIKE PATH

From today's Eureka Times Standard...

Railroad officials voted to apply to the California Transportation Commission for $19.1 million they hope can help reopen the northern section of the North Coast Railroad and solve a shoaling problem at the mouth of Humboldt Bay.


While the Supervisors blundered ahead on yet another polluting "Rust Belt" project, "droves" of bike-loving citizens showed up to protest...(below, a typical rural bike path in Holland--and a typical gravel extraction site)

People turned out in droves on Wednesday to tell the North Coast Railroad Authority that they believe trails have a place beside rails.


With few exceptions, Humboldt County residents who turned out at the meeting believe the two disparate modes of transport are indeed compatible in the Humboldt Bay area. Some, however, said the existing -- but not operating -- line should be forfeited for the time being and made into a trail, at least until reopening the tracks is feasible.

The study found that up to 660,000 people might use the trail each year, translating into $3.8 million in economic benefits and $70 million in health benefits.

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