"The National Park Service has released a draft assessment of a California oyster farm's impact on a wilderness area, concluding that the farm's continued operations would harm harbor seals."
"The environmental impact statement focuses on Drakes Bay Oyster Co., which has been operating since the 1920s on Point Reyes National Seashore. The company's lease ends next year, and NPS is considering whether to allow the popular farm to stay inside a national wilderness area.
The possible closure of the farm has spawned a fierce debate between the farm's supporters and NPS scientists, who say the oyster beds are disturbing the breeding of nearby harbor seals.
Kevin Lunny, the farm's owner, dismissed the review's accuracy in a statement today. 'This EIS has no integrity,' he said. 'It's hopelessly manipulated.'"
Emily Yehle reports for Greenwire September 26, 2011.
SEE ALSO:
Press Release: "Feinstein Responds to Interior Department Draft Report on Point Reyes Oyster Farm" (News.me)
"Interior Secretary Won't Delay Oyster Farm Report" (KGO-TV ABC 7 San Francisco)
"Report on West Marin Oyster Operation Doesn't Give Direction" (Marin Independent Journal)
"Point Reyes National Seashore Releases Draft EIS On Oyster Farm Operation" (National Parks Traveler)
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