Happy Trails

Cliff and Emily talk with Craig Benson of the Eureka Open Space & Parks and Recreation commission about trail plans through Eureka and open space issues.

Cliff and Emily talk with Rob Holmlund and Terry Supahan about the Smith River Rancheria project to improve 101 through Smith River for bikes/peds. The Rancheria got a TIGER Grant (large federal grant) last year and were only 3 communities awarded in CA and the only tribe/rancheria. They just held the first public meeting last week. We talked about the grant, the project goals, timeline, who is involved etc. GHD and Terry Supahan Consulting are assisting the Rancheria.

Cliff and Emily talk with Greg Pratt of Humboldt Transit Authority about their new Sunday service, new routs, and their well used Transit to Trails program.

Cliff and Emily talk with former Humboldter Chris Rall of Transportation For America about transportation options and land use patterns in California and Oregon and Portland vs Humboldt County. However the discussion first goes over the latest meeting of the North Coast Railroad Authority at which the full board adopted the recommendations of the Eureka - Arcata corridor subcommittee.

Cliff and Emily Sinkhorn discuss tomorrow's full meeting of the NCRA (North Coast Railroad Authority) set for 10:30 AM at the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors chambers. The full NCRA board will discuss recommendations given to the board by the Eureka/Arcata rail corridor committee. At stake, potential agreement to break with Rail With Trail policy in limited and specific places such as bridges where the right of way could be shared for an agreed upon time. Trail enthusiasts are encouraged to attend.

Cliff and Emily talk about an ad-hock committee that dealt with the Circulation Element Update For General Plan and made recommendations to the County Board of Supervisors yesterday. The Mendocino Pacific Coast Bike Route was also discussed along with the upcoming meeting of the NCRA.

Cliff and Emily talk with Ryan Wiggins California Field Organizer Transportation for America and the Federal Transportation Reauthorization and Map 21 Overview.

Cliff and Emily talk with Dan Gjerde, Fort Bragg Cit Councilman and newly elected Mendocino Supervisor talks about Fort Bragg Coastal Trail, Mendocino Trails & Ukiah Rail Trail. Emily updates last week's meeting of the NCRA and the Bay Rail Committee's recommendations.

Cliff and Emily talk with Todd Kramer of Pacific Watershed Council about road decommissioning to extend the Arcata Ridge Trail and restore the watershed. Emily updates the recommendations of the NCRA Arcata - Eureka Rail Corridor committee. A meeting of the full NCRA will take place next week when they hear the recommendations. This will be open to the public.

Cliff and Emily talk about Circulation Element Update For General Plan along with an update on the NCRA Eureka to Arcata corridor.

Now that the 3 meeting of the Humboldt Bay Rail Corridor committee have taken place we felt it was time to look at where we stand and what we have learned. Dennis Rael and Rees Huges, members of the Bay Trail Advocates talk with Cliff and Emily about the potential opportunities from these meetings and what we might expect at the next meeting of the NCRA in November.

Cliff talks with Don Allen, board member of the Trinidad Coastal Land Trust and Director of NRS/RCAA. The grant of funds for the Little River Trail Feasibility Study is discussed along with progress on the Elk River Trail project between Pound Road and Truesdale in Eureka.

Emily Sinkhorn talks about the latest NCRA Eureka-Arcata Rail Corridor Committee meeting that took place on Friday October 12th. Detailed costs and feasibility studies are sited on how to make this long sought-after goal of a class one bike trail along the railroad corridor. Also the forthcoming Communities In Motion Forum coming up on October 27th is discussed.

Cliff and Emily talk with Kevin Wright and Denise Newman about Grizzly Creek State Park volunteer day this pas Saturday and an update on the Elk River Trail project. The NCRA Eureka/Arcata corridor committee meetings are also discussed.

Cliff and Jenny Weiss talk with Debby Hart, Grant Elementary PTA about International Walk To School Day and the Safe Routes To School program. The N.C.R.A. meeting, Arcata Rail With Trail project and the Governor's veto of the 3 foot passing bill are also discussed.