Drakes Bay Oyster Company Special Use Permit Environmental Impact Statement Initial Public Scoping

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) provides numerous opportunities for public participation, beginning with public scoping. Scoping includes holding public meetings and providing opportunities for the public to comment so that their concerns are identified early and the analysis is focused on important issues.

During public scoping, the National Park Service (NPS) encouraged comments on the draft purpose and need, and requested that the public identify topics and concerns that should be addressed in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Commenters were also encouraged to bring forward any new information that the NPS may not be aware of that would be useful in preparing the EIS.

Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Drakes Bay Oyster Company Special Use Permit

 

PROJECT PURPOSE AND NEED
One key aspect of an EIS is the underlying purpose and need. Agencies draft a "Purpose and Need" statement to describe what they are trying to achieve by proposing an action. The purpose and need statement explains to the reader why an agency action is necessary, and serves as the basis for identifying the reasonable alternatives that meet the purpose and need.

Pursuant to Section 124 of Public Law 111-88, the Secretary of the Interior has the discretionary authority to issue a Special Use Permit for a period of 10 years to Drakes Bay Oyster Company (DBOC) for commercial harvesting and processing of shellfish at Point Reyes National Seashore. The existing Reservation of Use and Occupancy and associated Special Use Permit held by DBOC expires on November 30, 2012. DBOC has submitted a request for the issuance of a new permit upon expiration of the existing permit.

On behalf of the Secretary, the NPS will use the NEPA process to engage the public and evaluate the effects of continuing the commercial operation within the national park. The results of the NEPA process will be used to inform the decision of whether a new Special Use Permit should be issued to DBOC for a period of 10 years.

 

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

• Manage natural and cultural resources to support their maximum protection, restoration, and preservation.
• Manage wilderness and potential wilderness areas to preserve the character and qualities for which they were designated.
• Engage a broad spectrum of the public and relevant agencies in the NEPA process.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT
The comment period closed Friday, November 26, 2010. All comments must have been in the park planning (PEPC) website by 11 p.m. (midnight Mountain Time) or postmarked by November 26, 2010 if submitted by mail.

Download the scoping letter (32 KB PDF) for Drakes Bay Oyster Company Special Use Permit Environmental Impact Statement.

The preferred method for submitting comments was via the internet through the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) site at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/pore. From the main page, click on the Drakes Bay Oyster Company Special Use Permit EIS link, then on the “Open for Comment" link, and then follow the directions to comment. You may also have mailed or hand delivered comments to "DBOC SUP EIS c/o Superintendent, Point Reyes National Seashore, 1 Bear Valley Road, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956".

Comments were not be accepted by FAX, e-mail, or in any other way than those specified above. Bulk comments in any format (hard copy or electronic) submitted on behalf of others were not accepted. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

 

SCOPING MEETINGS
The National Park Service hosted three public meetings during the initial scoping phase of this process. The open house style meetings were identical in format and intended to gather comments from the public that will be used in shaping the EIS.

Download the posters and handout presented at the scoping meetings:
Public scoping posters (836 KB PDF)
Public scoping handout (435 KB PDF)

The meetings were scheduled at the following locations:
Tuesday October 26, 2010, 6-8 p.m.
Dance Palace Community Center
503 B Street
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956

Wednesday October 27, 2010, 6-8 p.m.
Multi-Purpose Room, Bay Model Visitor Center
2100 Bridgeway
Sausalito, CA 94965

Thursday October 28, 2010, 6-8 p.m.
Community Room, REI Berkeley
1338 San Pablo Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94702

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