California State Rail Plan 2007-08 to 2017-18

2007-08 – 2017-18 California State Rail PlanInterim Report to the California State Legislature” submitted by the CaliforniaMarine and Intermodal Transportation System Advisory Council, (CALMITSAC)in 2006.POLICY STATEMENT NO. 4: ENVIRONMENTCalifornia must expand and improve its freight rail system and operationsand simultaneously work to reduce associated health risks and communityimpacts. Local, state, and federal agencies must work together as partnerswith private citizens and business concerns to provide a clean environmentand a healthy business climate. These goals are fundamental to GovernorSchwarzenegger’s Strategic Growth Plan.These are twin policy objectives that must be achieved in providing a freight railsystem for California’s citizens. This topic is discussed in detail in the Chapter V,Environment.POLICY STATEMENT NO. 5: FUNDINGIn order to maintain and strengthen the position and contributions the freightrail system makes to California, the regions and the nation, the State must bean active partner with the private sector and other government entities in thefunding of major freight rail improvements.Recent Congressional testimony (Statement for Surface Transportation BoardHearing on Rail Capacity and Infrastructure Requirements by David Ganovski)stressed that freight rail transportation is not keeping pace with the demands of theeconomy and that the freight system overall is in the early stages of a capacitycrisis. Even with moderate growth of three percent a year the U.S. will see adoubling of freight movement by 2035. He also stressed (buttressed by theAASHTO Report) the importance of public-private partnerships to meet freighttransportation challenges.California currently works with both the Class 1 railroads and short linecompanies. It has also been in partnership with various governmental entities forspecific projects which benefit freight rail. Perhaps the most notable project hasbeen the Alameda Corridor project in Southern California where the Statepartnered with the Federal government, private sector railroads and localgovernment agencies.Although current and past initiatives have played a key role in developing andmaintaining the system, other partnerships of this type must continue if projects,which benefit the State by relieving congestion and providing for the reduction ofair pollution, are to continue.210