NORTH COAST RAILROAD AUTHORITY

419 Talmage Road Suite M

Ukiah, Ca 95482

707-463-3280 Phone

510-915-2656 Executive Director Cellular

707-463-3282 Fax

Mitch Stogner, Executive Director Allan Hemphill, NCRA Chairman

Ncra.mstogner@sbcglobal.net vinguru@comcast.net

NCRA SELECTS OPERATOR FINALISTS

Ukiah - May 10, 2006 - The North Coast Railroad Authority (NCRA) today announced that it will choose between two finalists to operate trains on the Northwestern Pacific (NWP) line. NCRA Chairman, Allan Hemphill, said the final selection of an operator for the line, which parallels Highway 101 between Eureka and Novato, will be made when the NCRA Board of Directors meets in Healdsburg on June 14.

The two finalists are the Sierra Railroad of Oakdale, and NWP Inc. lead by the Woodside Consulting Group of Palo Alto. The Sierra Railroad operates the Skunk excursion train between Fort Bragg and Willits as well as other short-line freight and excursion trains in Oakdale, West Sacramento, and Woodland. NWP Inc. is owned by John H. Williams of the Woodside Consulting Group as well as Skip Berg, Property Manager and Developer of Port Sonoma, and Allen Ennis, CEO of Evergreen Natural Resources.

“Both proposals outline solid plans to restore rail service on the North Coast,” said Hemphill. “We will spend the next 30 days assessing the relative merits of each proposal and will name the new operator at our June meeting.”

NCRA Vice Chairman and Mendocino County Supervisor Hal Wagenet said repair of the line will begin this summer in coordination with the new operator. “The $7.8 million approved by the CTC last month will provide the seed money to begin the repairs,” said Wagenet. “Once the operator is selected, we can work together on a phased rehabilitation plan,” he said. “Both proposers have the talent and resources to begin restoring rail service in phases within the next 18 months,” according to Wagenet.

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The North Coast Railroad Authority (NCRA) was formed in 1989 by the California Legislature under the North Coast Railroad Authority Act, Government Code Section 93000, et seq. The mission of the North Coast Railroad Authority is to provide a unified & revitalized rail infrastructure meeting the freight and passenger needs of the region; a first class service working in partnership with others to build and sustain the economy of the region.