An independent water quality study claims water pollution is dangerous to public health and the environment due to ranching activities in Point Reyes National Seashore in California.
The study by Turtle Island Restoration Network sampled all the dairies with a large enough sample size to meet current state protocols for testing. It revealed eight popular destinations in the park contained bacteria concentrations exceeding state standards.
“The degree of pollution is astounding, especially considering it is occurring on the California coast and in a national park,” said Scott Webb, advocacy and policy manager with the Turtle Island Restoration Network. “I don’t care if it’s commercial agriculture or natural gas development, we need to stand up to private industry that continues to profit off destroying public land, hard stop.”
The California Coastal Commission is set to consider the National Park Service’s water quality strategy for ranching and dairy operations at the Point Reyes National Seashore in early September.
