Tomales Point Area Plan
c/o Superintendent Point Reyes National Seashore
1 Bear Valley Road
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
RE: Tomales Point Area Plan Environmental Assessment – Support for Alternative B
Dear Acting Superintendent Altman:
We, the undersigned 40 environmental organizations and wildlife photographers are writing to express our strong support for Alternative B in the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Tomales Point Area of Point Reyes National Seashore. We thank the National Park Service (NPS) for its care and efforts in this proposal to improve the management of the Seashore.
Two historic droughts during the last decade have adversely affected habitat conditions for tule elk confined to Tomales Point. Since their reintroduction to the Seashore in 1978 hundreds of elk within the Reserve have suffered and died. With a changing climate, the NPS must act to minimize adverse impacts on park resources and values.
The undersigned groups believe the NPS preferred alternative–Alternative B–establishes the appropriate management direction at Tomales Point for the following reasons:
1. Ecological Benefits to Tomales Point: Confinement of Tomales Point elk herd to a small area of the National Seashore has led to overgrazing, degradation of habitat, and mass die-offs of elk during historic drought years. Allowing elk to roam beyond the planning area will improve ecological function and processes at Tomales Point.
2. Improvement to Elk Herd Health: As an endemic species, the tule elk should be able to express their natural movement and foraging behaviors unimpeded by the 3 miles of artificial 8 ft elk fencing. Removing the elk fence restores their ability to roam freely and find sufficient food and water sources throughout the National Seashore.
3. Genetic Diversity: The current confined conditions increase the risk of inbreeding depression and reduce genetic diversity for this unique herd. Providing access to a larger range helps maintain gene flow and genetic variability of the free-ranging tule elk herds of the Point Reyes peninsula.
4. Cultural Significance: The tule elk holds great cultural and spiritual importance for the Coast Miwok peoples, who are indigenous to this region. Alternative B provides opportunities for further consultation and coordination with Tribal partners, building on opportunities such as employing prescribed fire and incorporating Traditional Ecological Knowledge to steward natural and cultural resources at Tomales Point.
5. Visitor Experience: Many visitors come to Point Reyes to view wildlife in their natural state. The removal of the elk fence and permitting the tule elk to roam free creates more opportunities for visitors to observe and appreciate these magnificent animals in an open, natural setting.
We urge you to move forward with your preferred alternative–Alternative B–and remove the elk fence at Tomales Point immediately. This decision aligns with the mission of the National Park Service to enhance the character of the Phillip Burton Wilderness and preserve the natural and cultural resources of Point Reyes National Seashore for present and future generations.
Thank you for your consideration,
| Chance Cutrano Director of Programs Resource Renewal Institute Ashley Eagle-Gibbs Executive Director Environmental Action Committee of West Marin Jeff Miller Senior Conservation Advocate Center for Biological Diversity Beth Pratt Regional Executive Director National Wildlife Federation Tara Thornton Director of Institutional Engagement Endangered Species Coalition Megan Isadore Executive Director River Otter Ecology Project Todd Steiner Executive Director Turtle Island Restoration Network Alison Hermance Director of Communications WildCare Jeff Ruch Pacific Director Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) Tom Baty President Public Lands Conservancy Nancy Graalman Director Defense of Place Daniel Dietrich Owner Point Reyes Safaris Matthew Polvorosa Kline Founder and Director Mission Rewild Daniel Dietrich Director Conservation Kids Natalie Ahwesh Director of State Affairs Animal Wellness Action Kimberly Baker Executive Director Klamath Forest Alliance Drew Feldmann Conservation Chair San Bernadino Valley Audubon Society Wendal Reed President Antelope Valley Conservancy Sebastian Kennerknect Owner Cat Expeditions Sandra Lee Owner Sandra Lee Photography | Neal Desai Senior Program Director National Parks Conservation Association Martha Kreeger SF Bay Chapter Chair Sierra Club Erik Molvar Executive Director Western Watersheds Project Emily Roberson Native Plant Conservation Campaign Director California Native Plant Society Philip Francis Chair Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Camilla Fox Executive Director Project Coyote David Parsons Board Member The Rewilding Institute Johnnie Carlson Associate Director Planning and Conservation League Thomas Wheeler Executive Director Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC) Michael J. Painter Coordinator Californians for Western Wilderness Michael Warburton Director Public Trust Alliance Amelia Wilson President Regional Parks Association Miyoko Schinner Founder and President Rancho Campasión Diane Gentile Co-founder Aqus Community Foundation Brooks Fahy Executive Director Predator Defense Lisa Ownes Viani Director Raptors Are The Solution Lisa Robertson President Wyoming Untrapped Robin Buff President Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society Sheila Newenham Chief Explorer Exploring Nature Photography Derick Carss Art Director Before It Gets Dark |
cc: U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Debra Haaland; Department of the Interior Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs Deputy Director, Danielle Decker; California Coastal Commissioners; California Secretary for Natural Resources, Wade Crowfoot; California Director of Fish and Wildlife Service, Charlton Bonham; Marin County Board of Supervisors.