MarinWatch

More on the "Final Solution" for the Deer

2006-09-16T14:59:00.000-07:00

Here's a better link for the Park's "Final Solution" on the "non-native" deer.

http://www.nps.gov/pore/parkmgmt/planning_nonnativedeermanagementplan_feis.htm

How to comment on the NPS Deer Eradication Plan

2006-09-14T23:15:00.000-07:00

On August 18, 2006, the National Park Service (NPS) published in the Federal Register a Notice of Availability for the Final Environmental Impact Statement [FEIS for its “Non-Native Deer Management Plan: Protecting the Seashore's Native Ecosystems,” The FEIS is posted on the Point Reyes National Seashore website at http://nps.gov/pore/pphtml/documents.html.

The official responsible for the final decision on the Non-Native Deer Management Plan/FEIS is the NPS Regional Director of the Pacific West Region. The Regional Director can issue his final decision 30 days after the Notice was published, or as soon September 17. Once the Regional Director publishes his Record of Decision, the Superintendent of the Point Reyes National Seashore can begin implementation of the plan approved by the Regional Director.

The Regional Director for the Pacific West Region is Jonathan B. Jarvis. His address: 1111 Jackson Street, Suite 700, Oakland, CA 94607. The phone number is (510) 817-1300.

Grass Remains Despite Fallow Deer

2006-09-11T14:57:00.000-07:00

Janine Warner has posted some lovely views of the Fallow Deer, taken while walking through the Vedanta Retreat on Labor Day, Sept. 4, 2006.

Janine and her husband David LaFontaine saw at least four distinct herds of deer on their walk through the retreat, and several of her photos show how much grass remained available at that time despite the Park’s stated concern that non-native deer compete for forage with native black-tail deer and re-introduced elk.

Wanna Comment?

2006-08-31T16:42:00.000-07:00

We hear that some of our non-blogger friends have not been able to post their comments. Here's how to do it:

(1) At the end of the blog item, click on "comment".

(2) Write your comment in the comment box.

(3) In "choose an identity", select either "other", if you want to leave your name, or "annonymous" and click.

(4) Don't forget to "preview or publish / post"."

Point Reyes Light owner claims paper’s existence in danger

2006-08-29T22:20:00.000-07:00

Marin judge stops Sonoma County website from working with Light’s previous owner

(If you'd like to contact Mr. Mitchell about the details of the information here, please contact him at davemi@horizoncable.com or tel. 415 663-8400)

Point Reyes Light publisher Robert Israel Plotkin this past week told Marin Judge Jack Sutro that competition from the online Bodega Bay Navigator is “damaging or destroying” the newspaper Plotkin bought in November.

Mitchel Press Release

MarinWatch welcomes Dave Mitchell

2006-08-27T17:22:00.000-07:00

Marinwatch welcomes Dave Mitchell, one of the most influential and articulate voices in West Marin (and indeed elsewhere) as a correspondent blogger. If you're unfamiliar with Dave and his work, please check out the Wikipedia article on the Pt. Reyes Lights, Dave's former publication, and his bio.

On Friday, August 18, at the request of Robert I. Plotkin, new owner and editor of the Point Reyes Light, Dave was slapped with an order that prevents his continuing to work with the Bodega Bay Navigator Online, a Sonoma County website, until an October hearing on a motion for a preliminary injunction. We hope that Dave will continue to speak out through Marinwatch on issues relating to public lands in Marin County, such as the threat to close the Lunny Oyster Farm and the recent NPS decision on extinguishing non-native deer.

When it rains, pours, & pounds, who you gonna call?

2006-03-11T12:01:00.000-08:00

With the December 2005 storms (including the record storm of Dec 31) and unprecendented rainfall in this part of the world, we coastal residents of West Marin continue to endure the isolation, inconvience, and decreased choices resulting from poor infrastructure planning and management. How then do we respond to the dilemma that we now face: NO repair or replacement of viable creekbed depth; decreased habitat options for endangered fish species to recover; and slow, slow progress toward multi-government partnerships! What are the people to do?

NPS: Cultural Resources v. Natural Resources

2006-03-10T15:37:00.000-08:00

Some questions for the NPS:

Is the National Park Service effort to eliminate non-native species limited by its obligation to preserve cultural resources? For example, the non-native deer have been part of the West Marin landscape for well over 50 years. Can they be exterminated consistent with the Park Service's obligation to protect cultural resources.

Under what circumstances does the National Park Service obligation to protect cultural resources trump the National Park Service's duty to preserve natural resources?

If eradication of non-native species trumps preservation of the cultural landscape, when will the ranchers, the Johnson Oyster Farm and the fallow deer in the Point Reyes Reyes National Seashore, along with the eucalyptus at Muir Beach, be eliminated?

Other interesting and related blogs

2006-03-10T15:28:00.000-08:00

Try these for a good time:

ClimateChange.org is a great one.

Dogs and Horses on Parklands

2006-03-10T15:15:00.000-08:00

As a representative of equestrians on the GGNRA Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committe for Dog Management, I'd like to hear what people think can be done to ensure the safety of equestrians on parklands without unduly limiting the opportunities for dog owners to enjoy parklands with their pets.

Scoping preparation ofGeneral Management Plan Golden Gate NRA

2006-03-10T15:11:00.000-08:00

Wake Up! The 2006 initial scoping of the General Management Plan of GGNRA planning for the next 20YEARS! If you are concerned and/or interested in the future of the public lands of West Marin, go to http://planning.nps.gov/goga for process and comments.Be active-don't let a few plan/speak for the rest. ...gst

No Shelter for Park Horses

2006-03-10T15:08:00.000-08:00

The horses at park concessions ie Five Brooks and Stewart Horse Ranch do not have shelter from the weather. When asked the managers of the concessions said the Park officials said "No new structures were to be built" Meg Gould who lives in Bolinas has noticed that many of the horses have rain rot a condition from being wet and not getting dry. The horsess also are standing in mud all day and night.

MarinWatch starts a blog!

2006-03-10T14:47:00.000-08:00

MarinWatch members are now bloggin!