On Friday, September 18, 2020, the National Park Service released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) for the Point Reyes National Seashore (Seashore) General Management Plan Amendment (GMPA) to the public. The Final EIS is the conclusion of the public process that would determine, if, where, and how ranching in the Seashore would continue to occur.

The Point Reyes National Seashore released their anticipated General Management Plan Amendment (GMPA) Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on Friday, September 18, 2020.

EAC is anticipating the release of the Point Reyes National Seashore’s (Seashore) General Management Plan Amendment (GMPA) Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) in the coming week. The Final EIS is the final step by the Seashore for the GMPA, where they will announce the Proposed Action, or what they intend to do about issuing long-term ranching leases and how they will ensure the protection of park resources.

Our work is driven by a focus on protecting the lands and waters of what we regard as one of the most beautiful landscapes on earth right here in West Marin. Our actions are grounded in our mission, values, and guiding principles that inform our decisions, strategies, and pathways to meet our stewardship goals.

Today is the final day to submit public comments on the Point Reyes National Seashore's General Management Plan Amendment (GMPA) Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). 

This is the last stage of public involvement. The Draft EIS and public comment will be used to inform the Final EIS. Your voice is needed to provide comments on the Draft EIS that will not be ignored. In order to do this, you need to let the Seashore and NPS know that they have not analyzed all foreseeable impacts in their plan.

This is the last stage for public involvement. The Draft EIS and public comment will be used to inform the Final EIS.  Your voice is needed to provide comments on the Draft EIS that will not be ignored. In order to do this, you need to let the Seashore and NPS know that they have not analyzed all foreseeable impacts in their plan.

To comment effectively, focus your comments on the purpose and need of the proposed action, the proposed alternatives, the assessment of environmental impacts, and proposed mitigations. What did they overlook, what was not considered, etc. Comments are not a form of voting for an alternative and template form letters are not useful tools at this stage.

The Seashore initiated a public planning process that seeks to establish guidance for the preservation of natural and cultural resources and the management of infrastructure and visitor use in the planning area. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS), which is part of the General Management Plan Amendment (or GMPA) process, addresses the future management of Tule elk populations and leased ranch lands.  It will be revised into final form taking public comments into account.

This is the last stage for public involvement. The Draft EIS and public comment will be used to inform the Final EIS.  Your voice is needed to provide comments on the Draft EIS that will not be ignored. In order to do this, you need to let the Seashore and NPS know that they have not analyzed all foreseeable impacts in their plan.

The Point Reyes National Seashore has released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the General Management Plan Amendment (GMPA) for a 45-day public review and comment period. Deadline for public comments: September 23, 2019.

EAC is currently reviewing the document, meeting with our lands committee, stakeholders, and attending public meetings. We will update our members in early September with our comments on the Draft EIS.

Planning Documents for Public Review

On November 30th, the Point Reyes National Seashore’s public comment period closed.

The GMPA must advance the protection, restoration, and preservation of park resources using ranch leases that ensure that multi-generational, environmentally sustainable ranching is complementary to the natural resources and visitor experiences within the park. 

EAC organized our letter under three primary headings that guide our participation in this process: 1) Protection and Preservation of Natural Resources, 2) Restoration of Degraded Habitats, and 3) Public Access.

On October 31st the Point Reyes National Seashore announced their public process to update their General Management Plan Amendment (GMPA). This process will provide management guidance for 28,000 acres of the Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) that are currently leased for private cattle and dairy operations.

Public comments are due November 30th. The public can submit their comments through the online National Park Service Planning portal, mail comments postmarked by November 30th, or walk them into the administrative offices at the Seashore.

Point Reyes Station, CA (October 31, 2018): The Point Reyes National Seashore (Seashore) announced today that they are opening the public comment period for the much anticipated General Management Plan Amendment (GMPA). Public comments will be due by November 30, 2018. The public can find information on the Federal Register and NPS Planning website.

Recent legislation, H.R. 6687, was introduced by Representative Jared Huffman to amend the Point Reyes National Seashore enabling legislation. EAC is engaged on this issue and has met with Representative Huffman’s office, talked with our environmental partners, listened to the concerns of our members, and discussed the issues at our recent Board of Director’s meeting.

Congressman Jared Huffman introduced legislation H.R. 6687 on August 29, 2018 to amend the Point Reyes National Seashore Enabling Legislation sections focused on ranches and dairies. On September 5, 2018, the legislative bill was reviewed by the Natural Resources Committee and passed by unanimous consent. The bill can now be considered by the full House.

In October 2017, we activated our membership and community members to submit comments on the Seashore's 37-day public comment period on six conceptual alternatives. Today, we have some updates on the results of the comment period, next steps, and a review of the November 6, 2017 Seashore letter to the Marin Resource Conservation District concerning Carbon Farm Planning.

The National Park Service (NPS) has started their General Management Plan Amendment (GMPA) process for the Point Reyes National Seashore (Seashore). In October, NPS released the GMPA Newsletter that provided the public with information on how they propose to integrate changes to ranching in the pastoral zone of the Seashore.