Aerial photograph of Tomales Point/NPS, Anela Kopshever
The National Park Service is seeking comment on its proposal to remove the tule elk fence and all temporary water systems on Tomales Point in Point Reyes National Seashore in California.
Under the preferred alternative for the Tomales Point Area Plan (TPAP) and environmental assessment, the Park Service would also include potential opportunities to improve recreational uses and visitor experience at the historic Pierce Ranch, approaches to preserve and maintain the wilderness character of the Phillip Burton Wilderness in the planning area, and methods to better protect natural and cultural resources.
A final decision on the Tomales Point Area Plan is expected later this summer.
The new plan will replace the 1998 Tule Elk Management Plan and revise the 1980 General Management Plan (GMP) for Tomales Point. The 2,900-acre planning area includes all lands north of and including the tule elk enclosure fence. More than 85 percent of the planning area is within the Phillip Burton Wilderness. This plan is separate from the recent GMP Amendment, which addresses all NPS lands leased for ranching and the management of elk on those lands.
The new plan will update guidance for this area with a focus on preservation of park resources, type and intensity of allowed development, guidance for visitor use and capacities, in addition to the management of tule elk at Tomales Point. The NPS is collaborating with the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria to incorporate tribal views and traditional ecological knowledge into the management of this area.
Public and stakeholder engagement have been important to the development and refinement of this plan and the preferred alternative.
This additional 30-day public review and comment period will end on Wednesday, June 5, at 10:59 p.m. Pacific Time (PT). The NPS will host a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, May 22, at 5 p.m. Pacific Time. Meeting Registration Link: bit.ly/4d780Jl.
The preferred method for commenting is online through the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment website 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.
