May 9 Support for SB 727 - Governance and Funding for the Great Redwood Trail Agency

May 9, 2025

The Honorable Senator Mike McGuire
President pro Tempore
1021 O Street, Suite 8610
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Support for SB 727 - Governance and Funding for the Great Redwood Trail Agency

Dear Senator McGuire,

On behalf of the Marin County Board of Supervisors, I write in support of Senate Bill 727, which strengthens the governance, accountability, and funding structures of the Great Redwood Trail Agency (GRTA), including formalizing the trail’s presence in Marin County. Your leadership in advancing the Great Redwood Trail is deeply appreciated.

SB 727 codifies GRTA’s status as a subdivision of the state, clarifies board appointments and roles, and ensures fiscal accountability through required budget adoption, audits, and adherence to generally accepted accounting principles. The bill also grants the agency essential operational authority—including the ability to manage contracts, public works projects, and enforcement of trail regulations—to ensure safe and efficient trail stewardship.

Importantly for Marin, the bill formally designates the pathway from the Larkspur SMART station to the Golden Gate Bridge as part of the Great Redwood Trail. This stretch includes some of the most heavily used active transportation routes in our county and strengthens their role as a critical connector between local transit, recreation, and regional destinations. By naming this alignment in statute, SB 727 reinforces the trail’s North Coast-wide identity and supports continued investment in its completion. In addition, the bill would:

• Authorize GRTA to contract with state and local law enforcement agencies within its service area to enforce adopted trail rules, regulations, and ordinances;
• Enable the agency to receive funding from the State Coastal Conservancy; and
• Allow third-party use of GRTA property for services such as food vendors, campgrounds, educational programming, and other public-serving amenities that enhance the trail experience and support financial sustainability..

Our 2025 Legislative Platform expressly supports the completion and long-term stewardship of the Great Redwood Trail. We recognize the trail’s potential to connect communities across the North Coast – driving sustainable economic development for our entire region.

For these reasons, we support SB 727 and urge its passage. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to this once-in-a-generation project for the North Coast.

Sincerely, 

Mary Sackett, President
Marin County Board of Supervisors

CC:       Marin County Board of Supervisors
Assemblymember Damon Connolly