The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, Sept. 25 passed by a voice vote H.R. 6687, the bill introduced by Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA-2) and cosponsored by Rep. Robert Bishop (R-UT-1), which directs the Department of Interior (DOI) to continue to authorize ranching in the Point Reyes National Seashore and the northern reaches of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area of California. The vote followed unanimous approval by the House Committee on Natural Resources on Sept. 5.
“Today, Congress is reaffirming longstanding policy and decades of diligent efforts by the Park Service,” Huffman said.
“[The bill] honors repeated federal promises that ranches and dairies of the Point Reyes National Seashore would be offered long-term permits so they can have the certainty and clarity they need to obtain financing and to make family succession plans and other decisions necessary to continue operations.”
The bill, which now goes to the Senate, amends the seashore’s enabling act and subsequent legislation. In addition to spelling out the need for longer lease agreements, it directs DOI Secretary Ryan Zinke to separate tule elk from working dairies and ranches to minimize conflicts. It authorizes the secretary to consider partnering with Indian tribes to manage the herds, including relocating elk to tribal lands and hunting the animals on a subsistence or ceremonial basis.
