November 22, 2010 is the Deadline for Initial Public Comment on the Drakes Bay Oyster Company Special Use Permit EIS

Date: October 22, 2010
Contact: Melanie Gunn, 415-464-5131

Point Reyes Station – The National Park Service (NPS) is beginning the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate potential issuance of a Special Use Permit for commercial oyster operations within Drakes Estero for a period of 10 years. The National Park Service opened the public comment period for initial scoping on October 8, 2010. This initial public comment period closes on November 22, 2010.

There are multiple ways for the public to comment during this scoping period. Three open house style public meetings are scheduled for next week at the following locations:

Tuesday October 26, 2010, 6 p.m.–8 p.m.
Dance Palace Community Center
Point Reyes Station, CA

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

Thursday October 28, 2010, 6 p.m.–8 p.m.
Community Room, REI Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

Comments may also be submitted online or in writing. The preferred method for submitting comments is via the internet through the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment 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, select the Scoping Letter folder and then follow the directions to comment. Comments may also be mailed or hand delivered to:

DBOC SUP EIS c/o Superintendent
Point Reyes National Seashore
1 Bear Valley Road
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956

Additional information on the scoping process is available at the park web site www.nps.gov/pore.

-NPS-