Governor Brown Signs Great Redwood Trail Bill, Fast-Tracking the 300-Mile Trail

Another important step was taken on Saturday to bringing the highly-anticipated Great Redwood Trail to Northern California. The popular, bipartisan bill was signed into law by California Governor Jerry Brown, fast-tracking the 300-mile trail for immediate construction with hopes of opening the trail in two years.




“We couldn’t be more thrilled about the governor’s action, which will launch one of the most significant positive transformations we’ve seen in a generation here on the North Coast — taking a crumbling rail line, managed by a functionally bankrupt public agency, and turning it into a world-wide wonder of a trail and economic driver for Northern California,” North Coast state Sen. Mike McGuire said in a press release.

“It’s time for us to move beyond the old debates and begin the process of turning this 300 mile rail line into a world class trail and destination that generations will enjoy,” McGuire said.

The project will transform a train track through the beautiful and diverse North Coast into the Great Redwood Trail. The trail will begin on the north side of the San Francisco Bay and will go through Napa’s wine country before heading up to the Redwood forest area. It will continue along the banks of the Russian and Eel Rivers and on up the the panoramic Humboldt Bay.




“This is truly an incredible piece of earth. And SB 1029 sets the stage to turn this over 300 mile long beleaguered train track into a stunning, world-renowned trail that will benefit locals and visitors alike and be a boon to rural community economies,” Senator Mike McGuire said.

Not only will the trail be a great addition to Northern California’s already vast outdoor experience but it will also provide a boom for the economies of the towns along the trail.

California outdoor recreation is one of the fastest growing sectors of the Golden State’s economy. It generates over $92 billion a year here in California, is responsible for nearly 700,000 jobs with over $30 billion in wages, and brings over $6 billion in tax revenues back to state and local communities.




“There are areas of this line that have barely had any human eyes on it in 20 years – the incredible Eel River Canyon will be the crown jewel of this trail, as it parallels the Eel River through wilderness and wonder and breaks out into the redwoods of Humboldt County,” Senator McGuire said. “The Great Redwood Trail will wind through these scenic landscapes and connect folks with ancient redwoods, state parks and numerous local trails.”

With planning and construction set to begin soon, officials have made it clear they will listen to the public and have the project built methodically.

“This public process will be done right, not fast. It will be inclusive of all voices, detailed and data driven,” McGuire said in the release. “We’ll be hosting public meetings in early 2019 to inform the community on the planning process, receive critical input from neighbors and residents and talk about how we can work together in the months and years to come on the development of the Great Redwood Trail.”

Active NorCal

Telling the Stories of Northern California

23 Comments

  1. What a terrible thing, we have to pay to see the redwoods, when it should belong to all of us, free for all to enjoy. Soon we’ll have to pay to go to the beach because they’ll build some useless thing and call it a park. I’m just so saddened that people are allowing capitalism to enslave us and now keep us away from Earth’s greatest gifts, now using that too to make money off of us and our children.

  2. Correction: the trail will start in Marin, go through Sonoma, and continue north to Mendocino and Humboldt Counties. It does not pass through Napa County.

  3. It reopened the debate about South Korea’s gambling laws — a peculiar duality where vacationers can gamble but locals cannot.

  4. Right now it looks like Expression Engine is the preferred blogging platform out
    there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?

  5. I blog frequently and I truly thank you for your information. Your article has really peaked my interest.
    I will bookmark your site and keep checking for new information about once per week.
    I opted in for your Feed as well.

  6. Currently it looks like Movable Type is the preferred blogging platform out there right now.

    (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?

  7. It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to this outstanding blog!
    I suppose for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google
    account. I look forward to brand new updates and
    will talk about this blog with my Facebook group.
    Chat soon!

  8. Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your article seem to be
    running off the screen in Opera. I’m not sure if this
    is a format issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility but I figured I’d
    post to let you know. The layout look great though! Hope you get
    the problem solved soon. Many thanks

  9. You are so interesting! I don’t think I’ve truly read anything like that
    before. So great to discover somebody with some genuine thoughts on this
    subject matter. Seriously.. many thanks for starting this
    up. This website is one thing that’s needed on the web,
    someone with a bit of originality!

  10. This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger.
    I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of
    your great post. Also, I’ve shared your website
    in my social networks!

  11. Magnificent items from you, man. I’ve bear in mind your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely
    wonderful. I really like what you have acquired here, really like what you are saying and the way in which
    by which you are saying it. You’re making it enjoyable and you still take care of to stay it wise.

    I can not wait to read much more from you. This is actually a great
    website.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Back to top button