(Friends of the Eel River) The North Coast Railroad was built a century ago along northern California’s scenic Eel River but hasn't been usable since at least 1998. Now a shadowy company with suspected ties to the Western coal industry is seeking to acquire the line in a bid to move unspecified freight to a port at Humboldt Bay.
Brian Maffly has worked for The Tribune off and on since 1994. Maffly roams Utah, covering public land and environment.