Pacific West Region News Release

For Immediate Release
Holly Bundock, Public Affairs Officer
April 8, 2003
NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE DETERMINED
DRAFT GAVIOTA COAST FEASIBILITY STUDY RELEASED

The draft study of the Gaviota Coast to determine whether the area is nationally significant, suitable, and feasible as a unit of the National Park System is available for public comment, it was announced today by the National Park Service (NPS) Regional Director Jonathan B. Jarvis.

Public meetings to accept comment on the Draft Gaviota Coast Feasibility Study are scheduled the week of May 12 in Lompoc, Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Solvang.

The study covers a 76-mile stretch of coastal watersheds in Santa Barbara County from Coal Oil Point to Point Sal, including all of Vandenberg Air Force Base.

The study, which is available at www.nps.gov/pwro/gaviota, finds:
1) the natural and cultural resources of the area are nationally significant, and; 2) the area is suitable for inclusion in the National Park System.

However, the area is not a feasible addition to the National Park System.  There are few willing sellers of land and land acquisition and operations costs are beyond what the NPS can undertake.

“The Gaviota Coast represents natural and cultural resources of high quality and integrity,” said Jarvis, “The protection of these resources need to be locally controlled through a variety of incentives.”

Two alternatives that do not include NPS management are considered feasible and are evaluated in an Environmental Assessment, part of the draft study.  Alternative 1 is the continuation of current programs and policies.  Alternative 2 calls for enhanced local and state management.

Public comment is open until July 18 and can be mailed to the National Park Service, Office of Planning and Partnership, 1111 Jackson Street, Suite 700, Oakland, CA 94607; sent via email to PGSO_Gaviota@nps.gov; or given to NPS representatives at one of several public meetings scheduled the week of May 12.  The comments will be evaluated as part of the final study.

Public meetings will be held at the following locations:
  • 7-9 p.m., Monday, May 12, 2003: Grossman Gallery, Lompoc Public Library, 501 E. North Avenue, Lompoc
  • 12:30-2 p.m., Tuesday, May 13, 2003: Faulkner Gallery, Santa Barbara Public Library, 40 E. Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara
  • 7-9 p.m., Tuesday, May 13, 2003: Goleta Valley Community Center, 5679 Hollister Avenue, Goleta
  • 7-9 p.m., Thursday, May 15, 2003: Vets Wing, Solvang Veterans Memorial Building, 1745 Mission Drive (Highway 246), Solvang
-NPS-
1111 Jackson Street
Suite 700
Oakland, CA 94607-4807

510-817-1320 phone
510-817-1325 fax