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Letter from Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey

 

To: The Honorable Darrell Issa Chair House Committee Oversight and Government Reform

2157 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

 

Dear Chairman Issa:

I am writing to urge you to reconsider the investigation by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform into the National Park Service’s (NPS) alleged scientific misconduct regardingDrakes Bay Oyster Company (DBOC). This company and the Point Reyes National Seashore in which it operates are in my district (CA-06), and I have been following the issue closely for many years.

Your investigation is an unnecessary, cumbersome and costly endeavor, which will make it more difficult to move forward with a fair and open process. NPS has already admitted to some scientific misrepresentations,whichhavebeencorrected. Thematterhasbeenreviewedbythe National Academy of Sciences, the Department ofthe Interior Solicitor’s Office, and the Marine Mammal Commission, all of whom have cleared park personnel of misconduct.

In 2005, the Lunny family purchased the operation with the understanding that it was subject to a reservation ofuse expiring in 2012. The property is within lands designated potential wilderness in the 1976 Wilderness Act, and there has been disagreement over whether this law compels NPS to close DBOC on the 2012 date. DBOC has worked to extend the lease period, and I have supported efforts to find a fair solution- one that considers the integrity of wilderness, as well as the commercial benefits DBOC brings to the community.

Legislation authored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein in 2009 has created a path forward, setting up a process whereby the Secretary of the Interior will decide next year whether to extend DBOC’s lease for 10 more years. I fully support the efforts ofNPS to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement, with input from all parties, which would inform the Secretary’s final decision.

The future of DBOC has become divisive in our community, and insertion of the Committee into this matter is sure to aggravate the dispute, generating more heat than light and turning an important local issue into a national political football.

Point Reyes National Seashore is a jewel in our park system, with its diverse wildlife, spectacular beaches, and rich cultural history, including ranches operating in the park’s pastoral zone. It is well-used and much beloved by locals and tourists, wilderness promoters and agricultureadvocates. Iurgeyoutoletitsfuturebedecidedbyallowingthestatutorily- established and agreed-upon process to run its course.

Sincerely,

Lynn C. Woolsey Member of Congress

Cc: The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings

The Honorable Dianne Feinstein

The Honorable Barbara Boxer

 

DBOC gets help from Capitol Hill

Congressional committee begins investigation of NPS EIS

By Jeremy Sharp

The Congressional Oversight and Government Reform Committee of the House of Representatives, in a strongly worded letter to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, has asked for documentation regarding the Draft EIS for Drakes Estero. The letter, signed by Chairman Darrell Issa, noted that “…scientific misconduct by National Park Service personnel may be jeopardizing the right of a small business to operate in Marin County.” The letter went on to acknowledge that allegations that “NPS knowingly relied on flawed science…have come from a wide range of stakeholders and disinterested parties.” One source noted is an article that appeared in the New York Times March 24, 2011.

According to the letter,  the problem began at a 2007 hearing before Marin County Supervisors. Witnesses related to Committee staff that NPS “…misrepresented scientific data and made unsupported allegations against DBOC to justify the removal of the farm.” But even more egregious was their refusal to share photographic evidence they had collected for more than three years from cameras hidden around the seal pupping areas of the Estero. Issa states that the failure to disclose the existence of this information in the face of National Academy of Science suggestions and Freedom of Information Act requests “…creates the appearance of a cover-up.”

The letter refers to the Frost Report, based on the photos taken with hidden cameras. According to the report, there was no evidence that DBOC activities disturbed the seal population, said Issa. The report adds that the research record supports the evidence of the photographs.

“Despite finding apparently exculpatory evidence with respect to DBOC’s alleged harm upon the harbor seal population, NPS continues to advocate for the removal of the oyster farm,” concludes the recitation of wrongdoing. “NPS maintains this position despite the fact that an internal investigation found several individuals within NPS violated the NPS code of scientific conduct.”

To assist the committee, the letter instructs Secretary Salazar to provide copies of certain documents and reports no later than November 4, 2011 at noon. Documents include the Frost Report and supporting material, photos taken from the hidden cameras, all draft versions of the EIS and all communications to or from Department of the Interior employees about DBOC. In addition, they ask to interview several key players beginning the week of November 7.

“Time is of the essence,” concluded Issa, “as the family’s reservation of use expires next year. In light of a damaging draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) released by NPS on September 23, 2011, it is imperative that a thorough, objective review of whether NPS’s (sic) conclusions are based on flawed science occur immediately.”

November 3, 2011

News Analysis

Legislative elders weigh in on Drake’s Bay Oyster Company

pete-mccloskey_smweb_ANDREA.jpg

 

Photo and story by Andrea Blum

West Marin Citizen, July 21, 2011


Public statements by three legislative pioneers of California environmental law show that the decision whether to extend the oyster lease in Drakes Estero in Point Reyes National Seashore will be one of public policy. The Department of Interior after reviewing all facts of the debate on law and science will have to decide what is in the public’s best interest.  It will be up to the public, however, to let elected and appointed officials know what they want.

 The latest public statements from the very people who wrote and sponsored the laws creating Point Reyes National Seashore, protecting its wilderness and granting state tide and submerged land rights in Drakes Estero to the federal government may help turn the policy tide to extend the oyster farm lease in the estero for another ten years.  The triumvirate of former legislators have blown into West Marin with what appears to be the law on their side.

John Burton, former congressman and senator, current chair of the California Democratic Party and primary author of the 1976 Point Reyes Wilderness Act said one intention when writing the bill for Point Reyes National Seashore was to keep the oyster farm as part of the wilderness area. “Established private rights of landholders and lease holders will continue to be respected and protected. The existing agricultural and aquacultural uses can continue,” write the authors of the bill. Read full story...

Coastal Commission agrees with EAC

Lawson Landing trailers eliminated

Dillon_web_ANDREABLUM.jpg

 

Photo and story by Andrea Blum

West Marin Citizen, July 14, 2011

 

One thing is now certain at Lawson’s Landing in Dillon Beach- the trailers located on the sand spit at the mouth of Tomales Bay must leave. Wednesday, the California Coastal Commission, in a dramatic turn of events, voted to amend the staff recommendation of what they thought as balancing natural resource protection with public coastal access in favor of the demands of the Environmental Action Committee (EAC) of West Marin. The approved action will rid the area of trailer homes in five years. It was a turn of events that no one expected.

Supervisor Steve Kinsey who represents the north central coast said the action by Commissioner Esther Sanchez, a representative from San Diego, to follow the demands of one advocacy group was “sad.”

“Just take it all down,” said an angry Kinsey. “Let’s leave nothing for these guys,” he said in dismay. “After years and decades of trying to figure out how to balance this, we will just take it all away. I find this really sad.”

Following his cue Commissioner Wendy Mitchell of Sherman Oaks agreed. “It should stop,” she said referring to the Commissioners direction to vote line-by-line on a one-page proposal presented that day by the EAC “ It’s appalling.” Other Commissioners thought the situation “tragic.” Read full story...

Lawson’s Landing under threat by regulators


by Lloyd Kahn, author of Shelter and Builders of the Pacific Coast

July 7, 2011

 

I consider myself an environmentalist. And for this reason I’m alarmed by a new and very strong movement among people who call themselves “environmentalists.” If I may generalize, these are people who do not hunt or fish or make their living from the land. They often have not grown up in the areas where they are active. They want everything to return to an imaginary pristine state. They tend to be from families of wealth, have college degrees, can raise money for their non-profit groups, and know their way around in the political and media worlds.

This something I wrote on behalf of a gem of a local community that is now being persecuted. It’s for people of Marin County, and for Californians in general.

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March 11, 2010

Herd Out West


by Larken Bradley

 

Couldn’t help but hear.

 

Mellifluous mixed metaphor mash-up.

 

“Point Reyes Compost Company. Purveyors of premium poop. Don’t let anyone else give you crap.”

Banner posted on a vendor booth at the Civic Center Farmer’s Market last Sunday, stagged by Teddy Stray, son-in-law of West Marin dairyman Bob Giacomini.


Citizen readers: When you hear or observe something amusing in West Marin, over the hill, while on vacation or a business trip or perusing blogs, we want to join in the fun. E-mail submissions for publication to Larken Bradley at Larken@obituarywriters.com. Or telephone: 454-3552.

Also provide your name, town and contact information. 


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