The National Park Service (NPS) is beginning the preparation of a Ranch Comprehensive Management Plan/Environmental Assessment (Ranch CMP) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The planning area includes approximately 28,000 acres of active beef cattle and dairy operations on NPS lands in Marin County administered by Point Reyes National Seashore under agricultural lease/special use permits (lease/permits). Public scoping is the first step to involve the public in the NEPA process. Scoping includes holding meetings and providing opportunities for the public to comment so that their concerns are identified early and the analysis is focused on important issues.

The NPS encourages comments on the draft purpose, need, and objectives and requests that the public identify topics and concerns that should be addressed in the Environmental Assessment (EA). Commenters are also encouraged to bring forward new information that the NPS may not be aware of that would be of use in preparing the EA.

Scoping Meetings
The National Park Service will be hosting two public meetings during the initial scoping phase of this planning process. The open house style meetings will be identical in format and are intended to gather comments from the public that will be used in shaping the Ranch CMP. The meetings are scheduled at the following locations:

Tuesday, May 6, 2014, 5–7 pm
Dance Palace Community Center
503 B Street
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956

Wednesday, May 7, 2014, 5–7 pm
Bay Model Visitor Center
2100 Bridgeway Blvd.
Sausalito, CA 95965

Public Comment
The six-week comment period will close on Monday, June 2, 2014.

Download the letter to interested parties (44 KB PDF) requesting scoping comments for the Ranch Comprehensive Management Plan/Environmental Assessment. (En español 41 KB PDF)

If you cannot attend one of the public scoping meetings or would like to provide comment in another form, you are encouraged to participate by submitting comments online or by letter. The preferred method for submitting comments is via the internet through the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment site at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/ranchcmp. Click on the "Open for Comment" link to comment. You may also mail or hand deliver comments to:

Ranch CMP c/o Superintendent
Point Reyes National Seashore
1 Bear Valley Road
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956.

Written comments will also be accepted at public meetings.