The National Park Service Seeks Public Input for the Tomales Point Area Plan at Point Reyes National Seashore

News Release Date:
August 25, 2023

Contact:Melanie Gunn, 415-464-5131

POINT REYES STATION, Calif. - The National Park Service (NPS) seeks public comment for the proposed Tomales Point Area Plan and environmental assessment that will update management of the Tomales Point area of Point Reyes National Seashore. The planning area includes the 2,900-acre Tomales Point Tule Elk Reserve and more than 85% of the planning area is within the Phillip Burton Wilderness. This planning is separate from the recent General Management Plan Amendment, which addressed lands leased for ranching in the park and the management of elk on those lands.

With this announcement, the NPS introduces a proposed purpose and need, a range of alternatives, and a list of potentially affected park resources for the plan (7,192 KB PDF). The proposed action includes removal of the tule elk fence and all temporary water systems installed during the most recent drought, monitoring and management options for tule elk, and potential opportunities to improve recreational uses and visitor experience at the historic Pierce Ranch. The proposed action also includes approaches to preserve and maintain wilderness character in the congressionally-designated wilderness in the planning area, and methods to better protect natural and cultural resources. The NPS will continue to collaborate with the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria to incorporate Tribal views and traditional ecological knowledge into the management of Tomales Point.

This announcement initiates a 31-day public comment period that will end on Monday, September 25, 2023. In addition, the NPS will host a virtual public meeting on Thursday, September 7, 2023, from 5 to 7 pm Pacific Time. Meeting Registration Link: bit.ly/3P5PtDl

The preferred method for commenting is online through the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment website at parkplanning.nps.gov/tpap. Comments may also be submitted by mail or hand delivery to:

Tomales Point Area Plan
c/o Superintendent
Point Reyes National Seashore
1 Bear Valley Road
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956

Please note that comments will not be accepted by fax, email, USB drive, or any other way other than those specified above. Bulk comments submitted on behalf of others in any form are not accepted.

A final decision on the Tomales Point Area Plan is expected in the summer 2024. There will be another opportunity for public review and comment when the plan is developed. Once finalized, the plan will replace the 1998 Tule Elk Management Plan and the park's General Management Plan for the Tomales Point area.

For more information and to sign-up for email updates, please visit the park's Tomales Point Area Plan web page at go.nps.gov/pore/tpap.

-NPS-

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