Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma) released this statement following the announcement by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar about the future of the Drakes Bay Oyster Company:

 “The dispute over Drakes Bay Oyster Company has been a divisive one in our community for many years.  On both sides of this issue, there are passionate people of great conviction.  All of them care deeply about the estero, about local agriculture, about environmental protection, and about the future of our community.  It took a cabinet-level decision, authorized by an act of Congress, to resolve this matter. 

 “I support Secretary Salazar’s difficult decision, and I applaud him for being fair, thorough and knowledgeable.  I also appreciate his reassurance that local ranching operations are not endangered by his decision not to renew the oyster farm lease.  The Secretary’s personal experience as a rancher gave him a unique perspective in addressing these issues that lends additional credibility to his decision.  By directing the National Park Service to pursue permit extensions (from 10 to 20 years) for ranches operating in the Point Reyes National Seashore pastoral zone, he is making every effort to give ranchers the certainty they need to thrive.

 “Now that this long process has run its course, it is my hope that we can put the contentiousness behind us and move forward as a united community.”