WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma) on Thursday, announced that the Pt. Reyes National Seashore is slated to receive $1.5 million under the House Appropriations Committee, Interior Subcommittee appropriations bill. This money, from the Federal Lands Acquisition Fund, will be used to purchase 77 acres of land currently owned by the Bolinas Municipal Utility District.

“Pt. Reyes National Seashore is a national treasure that is home to a unique variety of animals, plants and migratory birds and must be protected for the enjoyment by future generations and for the continued health of our beautiful but fragile environment,” said Rep. Woolsey.

“The purchase of this parcel is extremely important to the National Park Service,” said John Dell’Osso, Head of Interpretation at Pt. Reyes National Seashore. “The parcel contains Pine Gulch Creek, a major stream in the park that has steelhead trout and coho salmon populations, classified as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act, and a spectacular grove of Redwood trees.”

Point Reyes National Seashore contains many unique elements of biological and historical interest. Thirty-seven species of native land mammals and more than a dozen marine mammals are present at the national park. This biological diversity stems from a favorable location in the middle of California and the natural occurrence of many distinct habitats. Nearly 20% of the State's flowering plant species are represented on the peninsula and over 45% of the bird species in North America have been sighted.

Rep. Woolsey is an outspoken advocate for protecting the natural environment. She has fought for years to improve the Point Reyes National Seashore National Park. Her efforts include her Point Reyes Farmland Protection Act, which sets up a voluntary program for willing landowners to sell their conservation easements while retaining ownership of their land. She also fought for the Pacific Coast Learning Center to facilitate research on coastal ecosystems; research and preservation of Point Reyes’ rich cultural history; research on fire ecology; as well as provide educational training materials and programs to the San Francisco Bay Area.

The bill is expected to go to the floor of the House within the next two weeks.

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