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In the spring of 2024, the National Park Service (NPS) sought public comment for the Tomales Point Area Plan (TPAP) and environmental assessment that will update management of the Tomales Point area of Point Reyes National Seashore. The TPAP 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% 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 TPAP 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 Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria to incorporate Tribal views and traditional ecological knowledge into the management of this area. The NPS preferred alternative includes removal of the tule elk fence and all temporary water systems installed during the most recent drought, potential opportunities to improve recreational uses and visitor experience at the historic Pierce Ranch, approaches to preserve and maintain wilderness character of the Philip Burton Wilderness in the planning area, and methods to better protect natural and cultural resources. Public and stakeholder engagement have been important to the development and refinement of this plan and the preferred alternative. An additional 30-day public review and comment period ended on Wednesday, June 5, 2023. The NPS hosted a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 5 pm Pacific Time. See Virtual Public Meeting below for more details. The preferred method for commenting was online through the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment website parkplanning.nps.gov/tpap. Comments could also be submitted by mail or hand delivery to: Tomales Point Area Plan Please note that comments were not 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 were not accepted. The NPS hosted two other public comment periods with over 25,000 comment letters received in the summer of 2023 and over 4,000 comment letters during civic engagement in the spring of 2022. Public comment analysis reports and the text of all public comments are available for review. A final decision on the Tomales Point Area Plan is expected in the summer 2024. Virtual Public MeetingA virtual public meeting for the Point Reyes National Seashore Tomales Point Area Plan and Environmental Assessment took place on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 5 pm Pacific Time. Attendees were invited to join by computer or by phone. Virtual Public Meeting MaterialsVirtual Public Meeting PowerPoint Presentation Slides, May 22, 2024 (3,959 KB PDF) |
Last updated: June 6, 2024