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Board approves CEQA negative declaration for 2026 regional plan after heated debate over Mendocino Railway
Summary
The Mendocino Council of Governments approved a CEQA negative declaration for the 2026 Regional Transportation and Active Transportation Plan but delayed final adoption to Feb. 2, 2026, after public commenters clashed over whether Mendocino Railway should remain in the rail element.
The Mendocino Council of Governments voted to approve a CEQA negative declaration for the 2026 Mendocino County Regional Transportation and Active Transportation Plan on a unanimous roll call but continued formal adoption to Feb. 2, 2026, following an extended public comment period that focused on whether the plan should include Mendocino Railway.
Why it matters: Public testimony centered on competing claims about the railway's legal status and utility. Supporters said keeping a rail element preserves access to federal and state funding; opponents said the Skunk Train functions only as a tourist attraction and that including it risks misallocating scarce transportation dollars and exposing agencies to legal challenges.
During the public hearing, Robert…
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