CA High Speed Rail Opponents Ask For Preliminary Injunction In Central Valley

With federal and state environmental clearance and with funds allocated, the main obstacle to laying track in the Fresno-Merced route is an environmental lawsuit to be be heard April, 2013. Two county farm bureaus ask that work cease until then.

1 minute read

October 8, 2012, 1:00 PM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


The California High Speed Rail Authority has enjoyed much good news of late. It celebrated the expedited federal clearance of environmental permitting from the Federal Railroad Administration on Sept. 19 for the northern segment of the Central Valley 'spine' of the Los Angeles to San Francisco project. On July 6, the state Senate, by one vote, approved allocating $2.7 billion in 2008 Prop. 1A high speed rail funds for the Central Valley segment. Only determined Central Valley farm interests and their political friends remain as the obstacle to construction.

Determined to protect farmland from the project, "the Madera and Merced County farm bureaus have asked a judge to freeze construction on a segment of the project", writes Joshua Emerson Smith of the Merced Sun-Star.

"Sacramento Superior Court Judge Timothy Frawley will hear arguments for and against the Preliminary injunction Nov 16. The CEQA challenge of the Merced-to-Fresno route is scheduled to start in April."

It was for this very reason that another determined player, Gov. Jerry Brown, had requested that the project receive 'streamlining' from the state's premier environmental law, the CA Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in June. However, pressure from the major environmental groups in the state cause him to relent.

Thanks to Katie Pearce

Thursday, October 4, 2012 in Merced Sun-Star

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.