Local residents living in the vicinity of the Central California Traction (CCT) rail corridor founded the Central Valley Rails to Trails Foundation (CVRTF) in the year 2000. CVRTF is a coalition of organizations, businesses, community leaders and local residents who are committed to the goal of utilizing the CCT corridor for non-motorized, alternative transportation and recreation purposes. CVRTF has benefited from the generosity of volunteer support and pro bono services from legal, grant writing, conservation and planning professionals. The Foundation has a 501(c)(3) status and is spearheading the effort to convert the 100 foot-wide unused rail corridor into a trail linking Sacramento to San Joaquin County. The proposed trail will provide a safe location for hiking, biking and equestrian activities and will intersect numerous planned and existing pathways and parks in both counties.

CVRTF works closely with the San Francisco field office of the Rails to Trails Conservancy, a national organization that helps local communities transform the dream of a trail into a community asset. To learn more about other successful rail trails, visit the Conservancy’s web site.

CVRTF Board of Directors

Members of the CVRTF Board of Directors are:

President Elizabeth “Betsy” Mahan, Public Affairs Consultant

Vice President Kathleen Jacobson, Landscape Designer

Treasurer Nancy Myers, Community Leader

Douglas Baker, Grant writer and retired gubernatorial staff member; Rick Henderson, Local Businessman & Educator
Robert Hunter, Veterinarian
Ron Kampling, Health Care Professional
Jim Roxburgh, Health Care Professional
CVRTF Founder Mary Upham, UCD Medical Center

Board Secretary Patricia Baker
 

Board Members Pictured above: Rick Henderson, Kathy Jacobson, Nancy Myers, Doug Baker, Mary Upham,   Betsy Mahan, Jim Roxburgh & Bob Hunter.  (Not pictured: Ron Kampling)

Background and Status of the Trail

Union Pacific and Burlington Northern & Santa Fe formed the Central California Traction Company in 1905 and presently own the CCT corridor. The railway initially operated as a streetcar system for the City of Stockton and grew to serve passengers and freight between Stockton and Sacramento. The railway still runs freight between Stockton and Lodi, but the line from Lodi to Sacramento has not been in service since 1998. The primary owner of the corridor, Union Pacific Railroad, is presently considering what the best uses of the corridor will be. CVRTF stands ready to facilitate the purchase of the property should the railroad decide that the sale of the corridor will be in theirs, and the community’s best interest.

The High Speed Rail Authority has also put the CCT corridor on their short list for a possible Sacramento to Stockton line. On November 10, 2004, High Speed Rail Authority staff recommended the Central California Traction Company Rail Corridor not be used for high speed rail service between Sacramento and Stockton. They cited several reasons for selecting the UP corridor, including referring to “substantial community opposition to placing the HST (High Speed Train) system on the CCT alignment”. In the October 2005 final report to the Board, (page 32) staff left the CCT option open calling for “further evaluation” should their first option have too many environmental impact issues.

Title Status

Community members have been asking questions regarding the title status of the Central California Traction Corridor since it has been unused for over five years. In order to clarify the status of the corridor, a representative of SACOG was asked to provide an explanation.

CVRTF was informed that the Central California Traction Company holds fee title to the corridor. Thus, adjacent property owners do not have rights to the portions of the corridor that border their property should it be abandoned. To determine if there are any special circumstances, SACOG hired a consultant to conduct a title search.

It was also noted that the rail corridor can not be abandoned unless the owners (in this case the Central California Traction Company) file for an “abandonment” with the Surface Transportation Board. Non-operation on the rail line does not in itself constitute abandonment. To date, no such filing has been made. If it had been filed, interested parties would have been notified.

If you have questions about the title of property as it relates to the preservation of the Central California Traction Corridor call 916: 321-9000. Register your support for the Central Valley Rail Trail by e-mail with SACOG Executive Director Mike McKeever.

The Central Valley Rails to Trails Foundation welcomes the involvement of volunteers and contributors.  Following are ways you can help create the trail:

• Complete the Support Form and let us know how you would like to be involved.
• Make a monetary or in-kind donation to assist with planning, outreach and operating expenses.
• Donate your car, boat or trailer to CVRTF and receive a tax deduction.
• Volunteer for activities such as the annual TrailFest fundraising event, communications with local residents and organizations, and preparation of mailings and presentation materials.
• Inform your friends and neighbors of the opportunity that exists to create the trail.
• Arrange for a presentation to be made at your service club, community association or work site. CVRTF will provide the talking points and a presenter upon request.
• Contact your local, state and federal representatives asking for their public endorsement of the trail. E-mail CVRTF to receive public official contact information.
• Write a message of support to local newspapers such as the Sacramento Bee, the Stockton Record and the Elk Grove Citizen.
• Attend the monthly meetings, held the first Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Wilton Fire Station.
   

Get involved and make a difference!

trail@cvrtf.org