Congress Debates Redwood National Park Bill

A key congressional panel today debated the merits of new legislation that would adjust the Redwood National Park boundary to include the 25,000-acre Mill Creek State Park. The legislation, entitled “The Redwood National Park Boundary Adjustment Act of 2003,” is authored by North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson. Thompson said he introduced the measure in an effort to streamline the management of the Redwood National and State Parks as well as protect the area's watersheds, which are vital for Coho salmon. “By extending the boundary to include the Mill Creek property the State and the National Parks Service will be able to share resources needed to manage and protect these important watersheds,” Thompson said. The Mill Creek property contains the Mill Creek and Rock Creek watersheds, which are important salmon rearing tributaries for the Smith River. The protection and restoration of the watersheds will increase salmon populations off the Northern California coast. “Passage of this Bill will benefit both the preservation of the redwoods and the access for visitors who come from all across the country, without affecting privately owned land or adding the 25,000 acres to federal ownership,” Katherine Anderton of the Save the Redwoods League said. The Save the Redwoods League and the State of California purchased the land from the Stimson Lumber Company in 2002 for $60 million. The Stimson Company initiated the sale of the land after gradually phasing out their timber operations. Stimson and the Save the Redwoods League paid Del Norte County a $5 million lump sum upon purchase to offset any lost tax revenues. Following her testimony before the committee, director of the California Department of Parks and Recreation Ruth Coleman said, “By sharing resources with the National Parks Service we will be able to expedite the restoration and access to this area.” The National Parks Subcommittee of the House Resources Committee held the bill's initial hearing today. The next step for the bill will be a formal vote before the full Resources Committee. The State of California, the National Parks Service, the County of Del Norte, and the Save the Redwoods League have all endorsed this measure. ###