No Money = No Evictions
Congress controls the budget. If they say "no funds for evictions," the Park Service can't kick anyone out. Here's how to make it happen.
💵 What Is an "Appropriations Rider"?
Every year, Congress decides how to spend the government's money. An "appropriations rider" is special language added to the budget that says "you can NOT spend money on THIS." It's like a parent saying "no allowance for video games until you finish your homework." If Congress says the Park Service can't spend money on evictions, the evictions STOP.
🏛️ Congress Has the Ultimate Power
The Constitution gives Congress the "power of the purse." That means Congress—not the President, not the Park Service—decides how government money gets spent.
If Congress adds a "rider" to the Interior Department's budget saying "no funds for Point Reyes evictions," then:
✓ No money can be spent to end leases
✓ No money can be spent to evict families
✓ No money can be spent to tear down ranch buildings
✓ No money can be spent on deals with The Nature Conservancy
This is the "nuclear option" — it FREEZES everything until Congress says otherwise.
🚫 What the Rider Would Block
Ending Leases
Can't terminate or refuse to renew agricultural leases
Evicting Families
Can't remove residents or workers from ranch housing
TNC Deals
Can't enter cooperative agreements with The Nature Conservancy
Rezoning Land
Can't convert pastoral zones to "scenic landscape"
✅ What the Park Service Must Do FIRST
The rider says: "You can't spend money on evictions UNTIL you do all of these things:"
Environmental Study
Complete a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
Public Comment
Give the public 90 days to comment on the study
Public Hearings
Hold at least 2 public hearings in Marin County
Report to Congress
Explain how this follows the 1962 law that created Point Reyes
🐄 Why This Matters for Point Reyes
The Park Service made a secret deal with an $8 billion corporation to kick out ranching families. They did it without:
• Public hearings (zero!)
• Environmental review (skipped!)
• Congressional approval (ignored!)
An appropriations rider fixes ALL of this. It forces the Park Service to go back and do things the RIGHT way—with public input, proper studies, and accountability to Congress.
And while they're doing all that, nobody gets evicted.
👷 Protecting the 90 Worker Families
An appropriations rider doesn't just help the ranchers—it protects EVERYONE who lives on this land. The farmworkers, dairy workers, and their families can stay in their homes while Congress sorts things out.
Protected from Eviction
(Saves money!)
The Right Way
📄 Sample Letter Requesting an Appropriations Rider
Chairman, Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
House Committee on Appropriations
2007 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
FROM: [Your Name]
DATE: [Today's Date]
Dear Chairman Simpson:
I request that the Subcommittee include language in the FY2026 Interior Appropriations bill to ensure proper Congressional oversight of the Point Reyes National Seashore settlement.
None of the funds made available by this Act may be used by the National Park Service to implement the Revised Record of Decision dated January 2025 regarding Point Reyes National Seashore, including but not limited to:
(a) terminating or declining to renew agricultural leases;
(b) removing residents or employees from housing;
(c) entering into agreements with The Nature Conservancy; or
(d) rezoning lands from the Pastoral Zone;
until the National Park Service has:
(1) completed a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement;
(2) provided a 90-day public comment period;
(3) held at least two public hearings in Marin County; and
(4) submitted a report to Congress.
This rider protects Congressional prerogatives, ensures democratic accountability, allows pending lawsuits to proceed, and protects the appropriations process from unfunded obligations.
Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully,
[Your Name]
📝 How to Request an Appropriations Rider
Write the Letter
Use the template above. Address it to the Appropriations Subcommittee.
Contact Your Rep
Ask YOUR Congressperson to support the rider request.
Copy Key Allies
Send copies to the Natural Resources Committee and Rep. Doug LaMalfa.
Follow Up
Call offices to confirm receipt and ask about status.
🤝 Key Congressional Allies
Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID)
Chairman, Interior Appropriations Subcommittee
Controls Interior Department funding
Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01)
Signed Investigation Letter
Adjacent district, Western Caucus Chairman
Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR)
Chairman, Natural Resources Committee
Leading the investigation
Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI)
Chair, Federal Lands Subcommittee
Expert on federal land issues
🌿 6 Environmental Myths Behind This Bad Deal
The groups pushing out the ranchers claim they're "saving nature." Here's the truth:
📞 Key Contacts
House Appropriations Committee
Subcommittee on Interior, Environment
2007 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC
Chairman Mike Simpson
Controls Interior Department funding
simpson.house.gov
Your Representative
Find at house.gov
Ask them to support the rider
💰 Cut the Funding. Save the Families.
An appropriations rider is the most powerful tool Congress has. No money = no evictions. It's that simple. Write to the Appropriations Committee. Ask your representative to support this rider. Give 90 families a chance to stay in their homes while we fix this the right way.
Gregory Burgess for Congress
No Party Preference • California's 2nd Congressional District