WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congresswoman Lois Capps celebrated the repeal of a law that jeopardized unrestricted year-round public access to Santa Rosa Island.  The Fiscal Year 2008 Omnibus spending bill – that the House is expected to approve tonight -- repeals a law enacted by then-Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter as part of last year’s Defense Authorization bill.  That law interfered with a court approved settlement agreement requiring the removal of the non-native deer and elk from Santa Rosa Island by the end of 2011.  The deer and elk are the focus of a private trophy hunting operation that restricts access to the island for up to five months a year and, under the Hunter language, would have continued in perpetuity.  In June of this year Senator Dianne Feinstein was able to have included in the Interior and Environment FY2008 Appropriations bill language based on a bill Capps introduced earlier this year (H.R. 2029) which repeals the Hunter legislation.

“I want to thank Senator Feinstein and Senator Boxer for their tireless efforts to repeal Rep. Duncan Hunter’s ill-advised provision that interferes with a court ordered settlement agreement requiring the removal of the non-native deer and elk from Santa Rosa Island by 2011,” said Capps.  “As someone who’s visited Santa Rosa Island and witnessed its beauty and rare archeological and natural resources, I know that we have to do all that we can to protect this unique national treasure for future generations.  The repeal of the Hunter language guarantees the court ordered settlement will be fully carried out to protect the island and provide unrestricted year-round public access after 2011.”

“This marks the end to a long battle over Santa Rosa Island.  The language included in this year’s Omnibus package will ensure that the court-approved settlement will be carried out and the public will have full, year-round access to the island by 2011,” Senator Feinstein said.  “Senator Boxer and Representative Capps have joined me in working to ensure that nothing stands in the way of the Park Service’s plans to make this natural treasure available to all who wish to visit.”

 “Santa Rosa Island is a jewel in our National Park system, and should be open to all of our people, not just a select few,” said Senator Boxer.  “With this legislation, we are correcting a mistake that should never have been made.  I want to thank my colleagues Senator Feinstein and Rep. Capps for their hard work to ensure public access to one of our finest National Parks."

The omnibus spending bill also includes over $9 million to help the National Park Service make enhancements to the Channel Islands National Park -- which includes Santa Rosa Island – to improve public access and preserve natural resources.

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Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.