The Coast Has Rules Too!
The California Coastal Commission can BLOCK the removal of Point Reyes ranchers. Here's how you can help make that happen.
🌊 What Is the Coastal Commission?
The California Coastal Commission is a state agency that protects California's 1,100 miles of coastline. By law, the federal government can't do things that hurt the coast without the Commission's approval. This is called a "Consistency Determination"—the feds have to prove their plans are consistent with protecting the coast. If the Commission says "NO," the government has to STOP.
⚡ The Commission's Superpower
In 2021, the Coastal Commission approved the Park Service's plan for Point Reyes. But that plan said ranching would CONTINUE with 20-year leases. The ranchers would use "Best Management Practices" to protect water quality.
Now the Park Service has a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT plan—remove the ranchers! But they never asked the Coastal Commission if this new plan is okay.
That's a problem. A BIG problem.
If enough people tell the Commission that this is wrong, they can OBJECT—and the whole removal gets frozen until it's sorted out.
📋 What the Government Promised vs. What They're Doing
✅ 2021 PLAN (Approved)
- 🐄 Keep all 14 ranching operations
- 📜 20-year leases for ranchers
- 💧 Better water protection practices
- 👨👩👧👦 Workers keep their homes
- 🌾 Grazing controls invasive plants
- 🔥 Managed fuel loads = less fire risk
❌ 2025 PLAN (Sneaky Switch!)
- 🚫 Remove 12 of 14 ranches
- ❌ No more leases
- 🌿 Abandon water systems
- 🏚️ 90+ families evicted
- 🌾 Invasive plants take over
- 🔥 Fuel builds up = more fire risk
This isn't a small change. This is a COMPLETE REVERSAL. By law, they need a new Consistency Determination!
👷 The 90 Families Nobody Talks About
When the ranches close, it's not just 12 ranching families who lose. There are farmworkers, dairy workers, truck drivers, and their families who live on this land. They were NEVER told about the secret deal.
Losing Their Homes
(Ranchers got millions)
About Their Fate
🌊 How Removing Ranchers HURTS the Coast
🔥 More Wildfires
Cows eat grass. Without cows, grass grows tall and dry—perfect fuel for fires. Fires hurt watersheds, pollute the air, and damage the coast for everyone.
💧 Water Systems Abandoned
Ranchers maintain ponds, water troughs, and drainage systems. These help wildlife and provide water to fight fires. Who will maintain them when the ranchers are gone?
🏚️ Historic Buildings Rot
The old ranch buildings are part of California's history. Without people living there, they'll fall apart. The Coast loses its cultural heritage.
🌿 Invasive Plants Take Over
Without grazing, invasive species like coyote brush spread everywhere. They crowd out native plants and destroy the grassland ecosystem.
🤔 Wait... They're Bringing COWS BACK?!
Here's the crazy part:
The Nature Conservancy is now looking for contractors to bring cattle BACK to Point Reyes!
(Point Reyes Light, December 2025)
They paid $30 million to kick out ranching families... and now they admit they need cows to manage the land! Even The Nature Conservancy's own materials say "livestock are currently the most practical option" for controlling invasive grass.
So why did they remove the ranchers in the first place?
📝 How to File a Coastal Commission Challenge
Write a Letter
Address it to the California Coastal Commission. Explain that the 2025 plan is totally different from the 2021 plan they approved. Request a NEW Consistency Determination.
List the Coastal Impacts
Explain how removing ranchers hurts the coast: more fire risk, abandoned water systems, rotting buildings, invasive plants taking over.
Point Out the Irony
TNC now wants to bring cattle back! This proves grazing is necessary. Why kick out families if you're just going to hire strangers to do the same work?
Submit & Testify
Send your letter and plan to speak at a Commission meeting. Your voice matters—especially when you show up in person!
📄 Sample Letter to the Coastal Commission
455 Market Street, Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
Dear Executive Director and Commissioners:
I am writing to ask the California Coastal Commission to require a new consistency determination for the January 2025 Revised Record of Decision at Point Reyes.
✅ Continued ranching with 20-year leases
✅ Best Management Practices for water quality
✅ Managed grazing for vegetation control
❌ Removes 12 of 14 ranching operations
❌ Eliminates 80% of cattle
❌ Displaces 90+ worker families
• Increased wildfire risk from fuel accumulation
• Loss of managed water systems
• Deterioration of historic buildings
• Spread of invasive species
Even The Nature Conservancy admits grazing is needed—they're now looking for contractors to bring cattle back!
I request that the Commission object to this consistency determination and require a proper review.
Respectfully,
[Your Name]
🌿 6 Environmental Myths They Use to Justify This
The groups pushing out the ranchers claim they're "saving nature." Here's the truth:
🛠️ 6 Ways to Fight for the Coast AND the Ranchers
Write the Commission
Demand a new Consistency Determination
Testify at Meetings
Show up and speak at Commission hearings
Sign the Petition
Demand Congressional investigation
File a Declaration
Support the federal lawsuit
Contact Congress
Ask for a field hearing in West Marin
Spread the Word
Most people don't know about this!
📞 Key Contacts
California Coastal Commission
455 Market Street, Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
coastal.ca.gov
Commission Meeting Agendas
coastal.ca.gov/meetings/agenda/
Find upcoming meetings to testify
House Natural Resources
naturalresources.house.gov
Investigation ongoing
🌊 Protect the Coast. Protect the Families.
The California Coastal Commission exists to protect our coast. Kicking out ranchers and letting the land turn into a fire hazard is NOT protecting the coast. Tell the Commission: require a proper review. Give the public a voice. Stop the secret deals.
Gregory Burgess for Congress
No Party Preference • California's 2nd Congressional District