Congress Approves Redwood National Park Boundary Adjustment

The House of Representatives today unanimously passed legislation that will streamline the management of Redwood National and State Parks. North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson worked with California Senator Dianne Feinstein to include the legislation in a California lands bill (S. 136) which the Senate approved in July.

The legislation approved today adjusts the boundary of Redwood National and State Parks to include the 25,000 acre Mill Creek parcel acquired by the California Department of Parks and Recreation in 2002. The boundary adjustment was necessary in order to extend the benefits of the unique cooperative management agreement that exists between the state and federal government.

“Adding the Mill Creek property to the Redwood National Park is a historic step and will enable us to protect California's magnificent redwood forests for generations to come,” Senator Feinstein said. “This legislation will also provide watershed protection, and protect wildlife habitats preserving the forest. I would like to thank Congressman Mike Thompson for his partnership in protecting these remarkable natural treasures.”

“This boundary adjustment will allow the Redwood National and State Parks to manage this important addition more efficiently and cost effectively,” Thompson said. “Senator Feinstein was instrumental in passing this bill and sending it to the president's desk.”

The Mill Creek addition includes the upper watersheds of the Mill and Rock Creeks, tributaries to the Smith Riverâ€"the longest un-dammed river in California. Mill Creek supports the most significant run of federally protected Coho Salmon on the Smith River.

The language included in S. 136 is identical to the “Redwood National Park Boundary Adjustment Act” (H.R. 361) a bill that Rep. Thompson first introduced in 2003.

The National Parks Service, Del Norte County, the Save-the-Redwoods-League, the State of California, the Yurok Tribe and support the legislation. After being approved by both houses of Congress S. 136 has been sent to the president for his signature.