The train isn't coming, just the NCRA Board.  The meeting will take place Wednesday, 10:30am at the Supervisors Chambers in the Humboldt County Courthouse.

One notable action item on the agenda is setting the hearing date for April 15th the Draft Enivronmental Impact Report on reopening operations on the South End from Willits south.  This means the DEIR will have to be released within 6 days.

This DEIR on only the south end of the line was a big part of the NCRA's vulnerability in being sued by the City of Novato for "segmenting" the project when studying environmental impacts.  It will be interesting to see how the document justifies not studying the impacts of expanding the railroad into the Eel River Canyon and up to Humboldt Bay.

Other notable items are in the staff report, inlcuding an update on the status of Rail With Trail Guidelines.

Addendum: They announced the release of the DEIR, but didn't post it on their site?!?!?

Here's the agenda:

NORTH COAST RAILROAD AUTHORITY (NCRA)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR BOARD MEETING
Wednesday, March 11, 2009~ 10:30
County of Humboldt Board of Supervisors Chambers
825 5th Street, Eureka
Humboldt County
DRAFT AGENDA
AGENDA NOTE
All items appearing on the agenda are subject to action by the Board of Directors. Staff recommendations are subject to action by the Board of
Directors. Staff recommendations are subject to change by the Board.
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. ROLL CALL
C. AGENDA APPROVAL
D. RECOGNITION OF OUTGOING DIRECTOR – John Woolley
E. PUBLIC COMMENT
Comments will be limited to three minutes per person and not more than ten minutes per subject, so that everyone can
be heard. “Public comment” time is limited to matters under the jurisdiction of the Authority that may not have been
considered by the Authority previously and are not on the agenda. No action will be taken. Members of the public may
also comment during specific agenda items when recognized by the Chair.
F. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
1. Ratification of April 15, 2009 Public Hearing Date for Russian River Division
DEIR to be held at the Petaluma Community Center at 6:30 p.m.
2. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Transfer of Operator Committee
Responsibilities
G. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approval of Minutes - Regular Board Meeting – February 11, 2009
2. Acceptance of Financial Statements – February 2009
3. Approval of Warrants Issued - Agency 787010 – February 2009
4. Approval of Warrants Issued - TCRP 787101 – February 2009
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5. Approval of CalCard Statements - February 2009
H. STAFF REPORTS
1. Executive Director – Mitch Stogner
A. Draft EIR Schedule
B. Draft Trail Guidelines Update
C. SMART/NCRA Operating Agreement Meeting
D. Economic Stimulus Funding
E. Cities Appointment to NCRA Board of Directors
2. Project Manager – Dave Anderson
3. Legal Counsel - Chris Neary
I. OPERATOR REPORT
1. NWP Co. – John Williams
J. MATTERS FROM THE BOARD
K. CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – Existing Litigation
Government Code 54956.9 (a)(four cases)
a. NWPY v. NCRA – Arbitration Pending Before Resolution Remedies
b. Humboldt Baykeeper v. Union Pacific, CUE VI, NCRA; US District Court
Case # 06-02560 JSW
c. McGarry, Lukes v. NCRA, Mendocino County Superior Court case # 52454
d. Conference with Legal Counsel-Existing Litigation Government Code 54956.9 (a) (c)
Hight v. NCRA, Mendocino Superior Court Case # 80240;
L. ANNOUNCEMENT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
M. ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEXT MEETING
April 8, 2009 – 10:30 a.m.
Hamilton Community Center
West Wing Auditorium
503 “B” South Palm Drive
Marin County
N. ADJOURNMENT
AGENDA NOTE
All items appearing on the agenda are subject to action by the Board of Directors. Staff recommendations are subject to action
by the Board of Directors. Staff recommendations are subject to change by the Board.
AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) REQUESTS
To request disability-related modifications or accommodations for accessible locations or meeting materials in alternative
formats (as allowed under Section 12132 of the ADA) please contact the NCRA office at 707 463-3280, at least 72 hours before
the meeting.
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ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
The Brown Act, Section 54954.2, states that the Board may take action on off-agenda items when: a) a majority vote determines
that an “emergency situation” exists as defined in Section 54956.5, or b) a two-thirds vote of the body, or a unanimous vote of
those present, determines that there is a need to take immediate action and the need for action arose after the agenda was legally
posted, or c) the item was continued from a prior, legally posted meeting not more than five calendar days before this meeting.
ADDITIONAL MEETING INFORMATION FOR INTERESTED PARTIES
Written materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the Board of Directors are available for public inspection in the
NCRA office located at 419 Talmage Road, Suite M, Ukiah California. Documents maintained for public inspection are
considered to be draft documents until approved by the Board of Directors. Some of these documents may also be posted on the
NCRA website, but the official record is maintained for public inspection in the NCRA office
CLOSED SESSION
If agendized, NCRA may adjourn to a closed session to consider litigation or personnel matters. Discussion of litigation or
pending litigation may be held in closed session by authority of Government Code Section 54956.9; discussion of personnel
matters by authority of Government Code Section 54957; to confer with their negotiator regarding real property by authority of
Government Code Section 54956.8.