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National Park Unit Profiles

Detailed List of Scoping Comments
go to scoping update

Values of the Gaviota Coast

• Peace, beauty, untrammeled interface of ocean and shore 
• Beaches, ocean, surf, intertidal areas 
• Ranches, farms, open space, realness (not Disneyland), rural landscape 
• Biodiversity, proximity, complexity (interaction between the ocean and the land) 
• Vistas, view from the water, clear air 
• Convergence of marine and land ecosystems, connection between ocean and mountain, sea level to 4,300 feet
• Healthy watersheds and all they support; wetland and wildlife habitat, pristine,
• Ecosystem processes; connections between diverse ecosystems
• California’s past preserved—Chumash culture and values, Spanish, Mexican, rancho lands, family farms and ranches
• Favorite commute / nice drive; wide open views of mountains, ocean, and bluffs from Highway 101
• Largest stretch of undeveloped land in southern California 
• Private property rights—stewardship of the land, privacy 
• My land, occupation and livelihood 
• Diverse ecosystem that is easily accessible; a place to study natural history 
• Inspirational feeling, immense beauty 
• "I like: the darkness at night; the green days; the clean air; the quiet; the snakes, coyotes, lions, seals, sharks, vultures, hawks, etc; the surf"
• "I cherish the ability to enjoy a diverse ecosystem that is easily accessible."
• "The pounding waves and swirling surf near Honda Point demonstrate the power of the sea and the view of the coastline as you look north to Point Sal is unequaled in southern California."
• "I value the productive use of the land for ranching, farming, urban development and oil exploration."
• "I value the freedom that a fisherman has when casting into the surf, hoping for the big one and happy people strolling along the surf line while looking at the remnants of expended sea life or watching the sea birds as they forage for food."

• Keep the coast just as it is today with a traditional agricultural/grazing landscape 
• Maintain access as it is now 
• No more people; no tourism promotion 
• Return the coast to how it was 50 years ago, without golf courses, landfill and pending development, abandoned oil industry 
• Restore resources (e.g. redwoods, steelhead trout, sea otters)
• No more urbanization or subdivisions 
• Protect land, habitat, and historic sites 
• Preserve the spirit of ownership—landowners are the best stewards 
• Emphasize local interests over outside interests 
• Focus on agricultural viability. Ranchers and farmers have been good stewards and have made the landscape what it is today. Enhance the economic viability of ranching and farming. Allow flexibility for changing agricultural crops and practices 
• Develop a working ranch and farm exhibit and museum 
• Create a loose national park without over-construction and with minimal concern for recreation and visitors 
• Provide controlled and facilitated access
• Create a National Seashore connected to Marine Sanctuary, Los Padres National Forest, Channel Islands National Park, providing layers of protection—protected and linked natural areas (coastal range, to valley, to coastal watershed and riparian zone, to coastal wetland, to nearshore and offshore marine areas, and the Northern Channel Islands) 
• Create a world-class tourist destination like Monterey, featuring golf courses, equestrian trails, and other recreational amenities
• Develop a local advisory board to continue to advise the decisions and actions taken within NPS jurisdiction 
• Establish a National Seashore to prevent development 
• Develop a collaborative effort among parties to achieve the goals without a federal designation
• Preserve the Gaviota Coast: 1) maintain the urban limit line in western Goleta; 2) use conservation easements and transfers of development rights to preserve property rights; 3) preserve agricultural lands; 4) preserve creek and ocean water quality; 5) provide economic benefits of a National Park to surrounding communities; 6) maintain recreational opportunities for California’s burgeoning population 
• Engage in interagency negotiation with Vandenberg to protect the shoreline and land in perpetuity at no additional cost to the taxpayer 
• Maintain productive use of the land for ranching, farming, urban development and oil exploration 
• Protect and preserve the lighthouse at Point Conception, the ships memorial at Honda Point, the historical significance of "wall beach", the boathouse and Native American heritage sites 
• Protect the history and working aspects of the land; interpret without turning it into a circus

• Conversion of grazing land to crops, residential, and intensive recreation 
• Developments like Naples and Bacara Spa threaten the coast—the coast could belong only to the rich who can afford development 
• Threat of development: continuation of the Southern California megalopolis 
• Farming and ranching and current uses conflict with preservation: pesticides, loss of habitat, bulldozing; new industry—wine 
• Lack of funding for preservation 
• Landfill, oil refineries, pipelines, utility easements 
• Loopholes in conditional use permits and memoranda of understanding 
• New intensive agriculture (greenhouses, vineyards) could change area character 
• Oil and gas production
• Piecemeal solutions 
• Polarization between agricultural and environmental interests 
• Political manipulation of local zoning 
• Population/development pressure 
• Private development proposals—golf courses, resorts, housing, urbanization 
• Private property rights vs. Access 
• Profit motive 
• Short-term thinking 
• Water use by agriculture and development threatens riparian areas

Natural Resource Protection

• Biodiversity
• Contiguous open space for wildlife and vegetation habitat
• Corridors for animal migration
• Creek management and restoration
• Effects of agriculture and ranching on native species (land and ocean), wildness, and habitat
• Endangered species
• Geologic significance: pillow basalt rock formations at Point Sal 
• Kelp beds, reefs, chaparral
• Meeting of two ecoregions; transition zone between two diverse terrestrial and offshore marine ecosystems
• Monarch butterfly habitat
• Native plants; removal of alien plant species
• Reintroduction of extirpated species like steelhead trout and sea otters
• Significance of native species diversity 
• Tidal and inshore habitat
• Vernal pools 
• Wetlands (part of Pacific Flyway)
• Air quality: effects of national designation on increased traffic and resulting pollution

• Archeological resources 
• Chumash sites and values 
• Continuity of agriculture, family farms 
• Working landscape 
• Reagan Ranch 
• Significance of the lighthouse at Point Conception, the ships memorial at Honda Point, "wall beach", the boathouse and Las Cruces stage stop near Gaviota, Reagan ranch, adobes, prehistoric sites, Native American artifacts 
• Spanish/Mexican history/landgrants/ranchos including Juan Bautista de Anza journey

• Beach access and recreation without fees 
• Trails: hiking, bicycling and equestrian; coastal and mountain 
• Driving (Highway 101) 
• Fishing, hunting, walking dogs on beach 
• Nature appreciation 
• Ocean dependent uses (surfing, kayaking, swimming, diving, snorkeling, boat launching) 
• Wildlife viewing

• Natural scenery 
• Open space and vistas 
• Sense of space 
• Undeveloped coastline and coastal bluffs 
• Views from offshore and air

• Assurance that private land will stay in private ownership over time 
• "Private owners (family farms) have been long-time stewards of this land - their rights must be considered in this process. Many are very concerned about losing property rights." 
• How would landowners be compensated for: (1) federal acquisition of their land, or (2) any loss of value or increase in cost of operating as part of a national seashore? 
• Compensation for loss of development rights, privacy, impacts of public access 
• Impacts / regulations on residents’, inholders’, and adjacent landowners’ use of their land 
• Impacts / regulations on upstream farmers 
• Landowner liability exposure from public use on their land 
• Concerns about condemnation or other forced sale of land 
• Lack of trust in leasebacks

• Relationship between landscape and economics 
• The agricultural landscape that people value is dependent upon economic viability of agricultural operations 
• Degree of change allowed 
• Farmers may need to change agricultural uses or expand their operations to maintain viability 
• Conflict between agriculture and public access – trespass, vandalism, gates left open, liability 
• Degree of regulation 
• Conflicts between agriculture and natural resources—prefer cow over coyote 
• Cultural differences between NPS management and ranching

• Degree of access 
• Access along Highway 101 to the ocean for casual use 
• Access for all, not just the wealthy 
• Access at beach and dunes 
• Access continued at present level with preference given to county residents 
• Camp and backpack along the National Seashore like you can along the "Lost Coast" in Humboldt County 
• Controlled access to reduce pressure on agriculture 
• Equestrian access to beach and surf 
• Expand coastal access 
• Extend coastal trail to Lompoc 
• Hiking link from sea to forest from Gaviota State Park 
• No motorized access 
• Limit mountain bikes 
• More access without disturbing private property 
• Places that are hard to get to should remain that way 
• Some easy, some difficult access 
• Preserve the freedom to fish in the creeks, in the kelp beds or from the shoreline within the proposed project area 
• Pristine areas should have limited or no access 
• Access to Point Conception should be limited to protect the harbor seal colony 
• Protect and preserve public access to the beaches at El Capitan State Park, Jalama, Surf (near Lompoc) County Parks and open access surfing beaches east of Gaviota State Beach 
• Protection of resources must be balanced against providing access 
• Fifteen million people in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties want access to open space and natural resources within an easy drive 
• Interest in limited public access to areas currently off-limits on Vandenberg AFB. 
• Demand for additional recreational opportunities, such as coastal and mountains-to-sea trails; camping; boating 
• Would fishing and hunting be allowed? Would pets be allowed? 
• Access to Native American sacred sites for Native Americans, not for others 
• Consider reopening Point Sal for public use 
• Public access to Honda Point, Point Conception Lighthouse, the South Vandenberg Boat Dock, and other historic or cultural sites on Vandenberg AFB would be valuable even if limited a few days per year 
• A back-country permit system could be used to limit access

• Camping, and what types to allow 
• Impacts of more use—trespassing, need for facilities like restrooms, pollution 
• Minimal recreational development 
• No golf 
• No new campgrounds 
• Passive recreation; no facilities, no motorized vehicles 
• Permits, guided tours 
• Trails—shoreline and to the mountains 
• Visitor center at old Gaviota Store 
• Visitor facilities would threaten the integrity of Gaviota 
• We don’t want lots of facilities such as signs and parking

• Resource protection measures and management plans should allow landowners the freedom to continue profitable farming or ranching operations 
• Impacts on communities’ ability to grow and spread out 
• Impacts on property values 
• Need a carrying capacity study to establish an access strategy Economic impacts and analysis 
• Consider traffic impacts; consider public transit 
• Taking property off the tax rolls is detrimental to schools 
• The National Park Service should prepare a detailed Social Impact Assessment that examines the impacts the proposed seashore will have on tourism, beach access, recreational use, and other factors such as property values, possible diversion of development pressure to the north county, and whether jobs will be created or lost 
• The imposition of Environmental Impact Statement mitigations on private landowners within the project area by other government agencies (Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency, etc.) as the NPS begins to "manage" the project could adversely impact cash flow to the property owners and tax revenue to the government

• Sources of funding (e.g. fees, concessions) 
• Don’t use national defense or highway funds to support a park 
• Implications of national designation: (1) Uses and degree of development allowed permitted under each designation; (2) Potential conflicts between levels of government and jurisdictions 
• Implications of local control/current stewards 
• Provide opportunities for cooperative resource management programs with local schools and organizations; funding for local organizations and government for cooperative projects 
• Need to protect resources from potential negative impacts of increased visitation 
• Need to avoid over-commercialization 
• What will be the relationships between the federal, state, and local agencies that will have jurisdiction in this area? 
• Local governments have a stake in the discussion of how lands that are protected are managed and, where appropriate, made available for public access and recreation 
• How does Vandenberg AFB fit into a national seashore management team? 
• Who would own the land in the national seashore? 
• Will additional funds for road maintenance be available for roads in and around the study area?

• Acquire land from willing sellers with compensation to landowners 
• Add incentives to Williamson Act 
• Use Williamson Act 20 year contracts 
• Agricultural open space authority 
• Use conservation easements 
• Compensate landholders for loss of privacy, impacts of public access 
• Continue stewardship of private owners, families that go back many generations 
• Design a collaborative effort among parties to achieve the goals without a federal designation 
• Employ transfer of development rights (TDRs) 
• Establish a trust for funding 
• Install wind generators, with net metering and CA buyback program to fund management, infrastructure [but need to prevent them from becoming "bird blenders"] 
• Keep property taxes low 
• Keep the status quo of state and local regulation 
• Partner with Vandenberg AFB 
• Provide inheritance tax relief 
• Provide landholders incentives for preservation 
• Use money from oil development to buy, preserve, and restore ecosystems

• To treat the coastline from Coal Oil Point to Point Sal as one coastline for planning or any purpose is ridiculous. It needs to be broken into at least 4 different sections with each section having a different plan and a different priority. Each section needs a different name and the term "Gaviota Coast" scrapped or only applied to the section starting at Coal Oil Point 
• Rather than start at Coal Oil Point at the south, why not start just west of Naples. From there to Point Sal it's a relatively clean sweep of undeveloped land 
• Include the entire watershed in the boundary (applies to use of the Vandenberg boundary) 
• Your boundary should stop at the railroad tracks that parallel the seashore. Why in the world do you need to go to the mountaintop? 
• I would suggest that the northerly boundary be the Santa Maria River rather than Point Sal. The dunes complex between Point Sal and the river's estuary is one of the finest dunes in the world, and merits consideration for inclusion 
• The Hollister Ranch is one of the last remaining, active Spanish land grant ranches that is still in operation in California. In addition to maintaining this historical cultural aspect of the ranch, we also provide a stewardship of the natural resources found here. We view the management and preservation of these resources our responsibility to future generations. We make the scientific study of these resources available to a wide variety of scientific and public interest groups (e.g., UCSB, Audubon Society, etc.) In addition, the County of Santa Barbara as a regulatory agency is a leader in environmental preservation. It is through their diligence with our support that the ranch has remained relatively unchanged for 30 years. We want to maintain self and local governance as it has been proven an effective method for preserving this resource…I do not support the inclusion of Hollister Ranch into the proposed National Seashore Sanctuary.

• A bad effect is that it could limit flexibility of agricultural operations. 
• A good effect from the National Seashore designation is more dollars for conservation easements—also it would slow development and reduce development conflicts 
• Concern for regulation of landowners inside the boundary and those upstream in watershed 
• Change the name of the proposed seashore; Gaviota applies only to the lower half. Consider calling the seashore Point Conception, Point Arguello, or Honda Point 
• Favor National Seashore, but start saying NO to visitor facilities 
• How will the National Park Service deal with the two petroleum plants, the landfill, the power line easements, transportation, aircraft, etc.? These elements are not conducive to a protected area 
• I am afraid of losing my home 
• I am concerned about attracting more people with the national designation 
• I am writing in support of the proposed Gaviota National Seashore. This spectacular coastline is under extreme pressure from development, not only adjacent to urban Goleta, but in remote areas such as Cojo Ranch as well 
• Although we live in Oregon, we travel extensively visiting areas that provide recreation in scenic and unspoiled areas…Areas such as the Gaviota Coast are important getaways and should be protected 
• I want to go on record of opposing this National Seashore as currently proposed. 
• I'd like to see [the Gaviota Coast] under national control to prevent development. 
• Local officials cave in too easily 
• If National Park Service buys land, it could be taken off the tax rolls and lead to opposition 
• Increased bureaucratic presence, being continually compartmentalized. Conflicting jurisdictions of government cause problems 
• Landowners/ranchers/farmers are concerned that the National Seashore status may lead to increased outside pressure 
• National control makes me feel positive - locals are susceptible to development pressures, don't trust them to protect 
• Preservation of the Gaviota Coast will accomplish the following: (1) maintain the current urban limit line in western Goleta; (2) conservation easements and transfers of development rights will preserve property rights; (3) preserve agricultural lands; (4) preserve creek and ocean water quality; (5) provide economic benefits of a National Park to surrounding communities; (6) maintain valuable wildlife corridors; (7) provide desperately needed open space and recreational opportunities for California's burgeoning population 
• The budget to support this project must be clearly identified and funding sources revealed prior to any NPS recommendation to proceed with the Gaviota Coast National Seashore 
• There does not appear to be any value added by creating a national seashore that encompasses an active military reservation, a portion of the Los Padres National Forest, scores of working ranches and a large urban area. Fully half of the proposed project is currently managed by the United States Air Force 
• We raise avocados, and the last thing we need, is to catch people taking our crop and be told it is O.K.; it belongs to the National Park 
• With our growing population, we need more land on which to spread out and grow, otherwise we will be forcing more people into high density ghettos which cause more crime and disease 
• We don’t need another layer of bureaucracy telling us what to do with the land we steward 
• Will NPS allow integrated management process to be applied to rare and endangered species, or put an end to offshore oil production? If not, then addition of another federal entity will exacerbate, not help, the current environmental issues

• Can the National Park Service be trusted with stewardship of this land? 
• Channel Islands National Park has driven off agriculture 
• Concern about over-management – e.g. Yosemite micro-management 
• Making it a park a la Yosemite could destroy what we are trying to protect 
• The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area changed fuel management - there is a lack of grazing and fire breaks 
• The Point Reyes lease back policy ended with the owners losing the right to ranch. The leases are bogus because the terms can change with each new Congress 
• My major concern is that designation of the region as a national seashore may end up attracting more visitation and recreational use of the area, which may end up resulting in the extirpation of some species that have a precarious toehold in some of their last remaining viable habitat in coastal California…Perhaps some other protective designation would be more appropriate. The term "national seashore" to me brings to mind places where recreation is of primary importance. This is one part of coastal California where recreation should take a back seat to biological resource concerns 
• I feel as if "Conception" would be a much more appropriate name for the proposed national seashore ("Conception Coast National Seashore" or "Point Conception National Seashore"). Point Conception is at the heart of the region under consideration, and is one of the main geographical reasons for the biodiversity of the region. It is a much more recognized geographical name than "Gaviota", and one of the most prominent geographical features on the map of California

• How does the presence of such uses as petroleum plants, Tajiguas landfill, railroad easement, oil pipelines, highway, air traffic corridor, schools, developments (Bacara Spa and Naples), golf courses affect the significance of the area and the feasibility of a National Seashore? 
• Over half the area is already protected; this is a good anchor for future efforts 
• With existing zoning in place (ag preserve, Coastal Commission), national seashore designation isn’t necessary

• What are the benefits of national seashore designation? 
• Would a national seashore designation lead to more opportunities for local government to acquire land or conservation easements? 
• What federal funding would be available? Would funds for visitor information services and interpretive facilities be available to communities outside the Seashore? 
• What are the legal implications for interested parties? 
• What are the implications for landowners within the study boundaries? 
• What are the compatible uses within each type of NPS designation? 

What protection is there if the federal government doesn't own the land

Scoping Update: Comments received since July 2000 Newsletter

Based on consultation with Congresswoman Lois Capps and in deference to public agencies, organizations and individuals, the National Park Service (NPS) extended the scoping comment period for the Gaviota Coast Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Statement to November 30, 2000. Over 2,500 comments were received over the course of the entire scoping period, the majority of these as part of postcard campaigns and petitions. Additional issues raised in the course of the extended comment period are indicated below.

Protection of Resources

• The EIS should address the biological, geological, and ecological linkages to the surrounding bioregion, and the potential effects on local aquifers.
• Fragile resources such as tidepools and shorebird habitats must be protected if there is increased visitor use.
• Solitude is a valuable "resource" of the Gaviota Coast. A carrying capacity analysis should address impacts on the quality of the visitor experience.
• The area around Point Conception is known as the "Western Gate" by the Chumash population and other native populations.
• Existing local, state and federal regulations are insufficient protection from development pressures.

• Real estate values at Hollister Ranch are enhanced by legal restrictions (CC&Rs) placed on the property which limit the number of people who may be registered for access at Hollister Ranch for each parcel, regardless of how many people have an ownership in that parcel. Hollister Ranch has a managed access program for educational and scientific purposes.

• The Vista Del Mar Union School District derives some revenue from local property taxes (most revenue is derived from local oil and gas industry). What would be the potential effects of alternatives on revenues? Also, the District must provide for and maintain its own waste and water systems. The water system includes a six-mile, District-owned, operated and maintained water line connecting the District well with the Vista de Las Cruces School.

• The shore area around Point Conception can be hazardous.  There are dangerous riptides, undertows, tidal surges and wave conditions, and high offshore winds that can blow light craft into hazardous offshore waters.

• If a park were to be created in phases, protection of the area from Goleta to Gaviota should be the highest priority as it is directly in the path of the westward urban expansion of urban southern California.
• The potential for higher risk of wildfire associated with increased visitation should be addressed and analyzed.

• The National Seashore authorization at Point Reyes has not negatively impacted the agricultural and grazing lands in the area.  If anything, the Seashore has created an opportunity for farmers and ranchers to continue farming and ranching without the pressures of selling out. It is a win-win situation.
• Only locally based conservation measures should be taken to protect the Gaviota Coast.
• Suggested alternatives include a private agricultural land trust that would manage a strictly voluntary conservation program. The trust would be managed by a board of property owners within the area boundaries, and would be supported by an advisory council comprised of men and women selected for expertise in land conservation, biology, economics, real estate, law and fund-raising, including one or two National Park Service staff or other agency.
• Another alternative is the creation of a special agricultural preservation district designed by the agricultural stakeholders in a consensus process led by the Cattlemen's Association and Farm Bureau and affected property owners. The primary goals of the District would be preservation of agricultural lands, preservation of property values, and protection against restrictions on grazing and farming practices and the adverse impacts of incompatible public uses.
• A key component of a Gaviota National Seashore should be a bike trail from Coal Oil Point to Point Sal. Bike access would help reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.
• Oil and gas extraction could continue on lands held by NPS, under long-term conditional leases. This would enable regulation by NPS and still generate tax revenue.

• The EIS must include a comprehensive analysis of the economic value of the land if left undeveloped (determine the value of fishing, hunting, recreation, agricultural activities, etc.).
• The Draft report and EIS should be available on the project website, in both PDF and HTML formats. Also, provide CD ROM versions, and make documents available at all public library branches in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo, as well as city and county offices.
• There are several utility easements through the study area, including a Southern California Gas Co. natural gas pipeline.
• Add the Guadalupe Dunes between Point Sal and the Santa Maria River to the study area.
• Poorly designed parking lots along US highway 101 are very dangerous (the narrow shelf of land makes egress/ingress difficult)
• Santa Barbara County is currently designated as being in non-attainment for both the state and federal one-hour ambient air quality standards.
• The EIS should assess impacts of increased fishing from shore on near shore fish stocks. It should also address sport and commercial fishing allocation.