East Bay Regional Park District to discuss BNSF plans to run diesels in Miller Knox

   OAKLAND - The East Bay Regional Park District board Tuesday is expected to discuss plans announced by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad to run diesel trains along the shoreline in Miller Knox Park.
     The discussion is expected to be part of the board's adoption of a new land use plan for Miller Knox.
     The railroad corporation's plans for trains in the park have already received a unanimous thumbs down from the Point Richmond Neighborhood Council at its Wednesday, Feb. 27 meeting. LINK: PRNC votes to oppose.
     KCBS radio ran a report on train proposal Saturday March 9: LINK to KCBS story.

Railcars being pulled into the tunnel to Miller Knox Park

     The EBRPD's Tuesday meeting is open to the public and begins at 1 p.m. at the district's headquarters, 2950 Peralta Oaks Court in Oakland.
     "It would be good for residents to show up to support the (land use) plan and oppose BNSF,"  Eric Zell of Point Richmond said. Zell is assisting the district in efforts to keep BNSF from running diesels through the park.
     BNSF is expected to show up to oppose the board's adoption of the new land use plan.
     The district's plan for improving the 295-acre park includes a major sprucing up of the lagoon, construction of more parking and picnic facilities and adding a path from Ferry Point to the lagoon trail.
     But BNSF says the railroad needs to use the shore for a rail line in an area where company  representatives say they hold rights to do so.
     "BNSF has not recently operated trains within the easement area, but it has notified the Park District of its expanding business at Richmond Terminals," attorney L. John Nelson said in a letter to the EBRPD. He said that expansion is "necessitating the reactivation of its rail use within the easement in the near future."
     "Near future" has not been defined specifically by BNSF and is likely to be part of questions the board will bring up.
     This Sunday (March 17) traffic was backed up on West Richmond Avenue for 20 minutes when BNSF used the tracks that run through the tunnel to the park.
     Board members are also expected to ask questions about details of how many trains, railcars and hours of operation BNSF is considering.

Cars were backed up for 20 minutes Sunday, March 17 on West Richmond

PRNC votes to oppose BNSF plan to run diesel trains in Miller Knox Regional Park

   POINT RICHMOND - The Point Richmond Neighborhood Council unanimously approved a motion Wednesday night opposing a plan by Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad (BNSF) to run diesel engines and railcars through Miller Knox Regional Park along the shoreline to Ferry Point.
     The details of the Fort Worth, Texas-based railroad's plans were revealed in a presentation by Carol Johnson of the East Bay Regional Park District and Eric Zell of Point Richmond. Zell is working with the district opposing BNSF's plans.

The tracks - and trains - would run along the shoreline to the right

     Johnson told the PRNC that the park district is moving ahead with a land use plan amendment (LUPA) for improving the heavily-used, 295-acre park.
     The improvements planned include a major sprucing up of the lagoon (including dredging), construction of more parking and picnic areas as well as adding a promenade-path from Ferry Point to the lagoon trail.
     But the district's plans are bumping into claims by BNSF that the corporation owns the rights along the shore to use it for a rail line - and the company plans to do so soon.
     "BNSF has not recently operated trains within the easement area, but it has notified the Park District of its expanding business at Richmond Terminal, necessitating the reactivation of its rail use within the easement in the near future," attorney L. John Nelson IV said in a letter to the district dated Oct. 9, 2018.
     Nelson is with the legal firm of Lewis, Brisbois, Bisgaard & Smith representing BNSF.
     The detailed letter - laced with legal citations - attacks the assumptions and conclusions of a draft environmental impact report on the Miller Knox regional shoreline plan amendment.
     East Bay's Johnson said the park district is contesting BNSF's contention that it still owns the tracks all the way to ferry point - and the corporation's stated intention of reopening and reusing the rail line.
     She said the district is already battling with the railroad corporation on the legal front, but needs public help and support.
     The multi-clause motion approved Wednesday by the PRNC includes language opposing BSNF's track renovation plans, supports the park district's land use plan amendment, asks the City of Richmond to investigate ongoing problems with BNSF trains on tracks at West Richmond Avenue and directs the PRNC board to send a delegate to the March 19 East Bay Regional Park board meeting to support the proposed improvements to Miller Knox.

The proposed BNSF railroad and tracks would run along the bay shoreline on the right

Update tonight on railcars in Miller Knox

   POINT RICHMOND - The Point Richmond Neighborhood Council will hear an update from Carol Johnson of the East Bay Regional Park District about plans by BNSF railroad to move railcars through Miller Knox Park.

     The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Point Richmond Community Center and is open to the public.
     Johnson's report on BNSF's plans is scheduled to be given at approximately 7:45.
     At an earlier meeting of the PRNC, Johnson informed the group of BNSF's plans. Tonight's report is an update and expected to have more details.
   The full agenda for tonight's meeting is below.