REP. MIKE THOMPSON JOINS PRESIDENT OBAMA AT WHITE HOUSE CEREMONY PERMANENTLY PROTECTING POINT ARENA-STORNETTA PUBLIC LANDS
U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) joined President Obama today at the White House for a ceremony where the President used his executive authority to expand the California Coastal National Monument to include the Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands along the Mendocino County coastline. Thompson has twice introduced legislation in the 111th and 112th Congresses to expand the California Coastal National Monument to include the Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands. U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-2) introduced legislation with Thompson as a co-author in the 113th Congress.
“The Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands are a national treasure,” said Thompson. “I commend President Obama for continuing to make this a year of action by expanding the California Coastal National Monument to include the Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands. There are no federal lands more pristine than these, and I thank and applaud the President for taking action to preserve and protect these lands forever, and to strengthen our tourism economy and the jobs that come with it.”
“I am thrilled that President Obama has preserved these pristine and breathtaking coastal lands,” Huffman said. “It is fitting that President Obama is following in the footsteps of Teddy Roosevelt in using the Antiquities Act—the same law used to protect the Grand Canyon and the Statue of Liberty—to protect this jewel of the Mendocino Coast for future generations. Thousands of new visitors each year will flock to see this gateway to the Coastal National Monument. As they enjoy some of the best ocean views in Northern California, they will also provide a significant boost to the local tourism industry, already Mendocino County’s biggest employer. I thank President Obama for bringing this land into permanent protection as a National Monument.”
In 2000, President Clinton established the California Coastal National Monument for the purpose of protecting the area’s scientifically valuable coastal resources, including the geologic formations that provide unique habitat for breeding seabirds, marine mammals, and other native species. The addition to the monument designated today is approximately 1,665 acres of Federal lands located on California’s Mendocino County coast, just north of the City of Point Arena and is currently known as the Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands.
The area is a significant economic engine for the local community, driving tourism and offering opportunities for outdoor recreation. A Bureau of Land Management report estimates that outdoor recreation on the public lands in California contributed nearly $900 million to the economy in 2012.
According to Scott Schneider, President and CEO of Visit Mendocino County, Inc. travel and tourism are responsible for the largest job sector in Mendocino County with close to 5,000 jobs earning over $114 million a year. In addition, visitor spending in Mendocino County brings in $20 million in state and local taxes.
The Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands are contiguous with Manchester Beach State Park, the Point Arena Lighthouse, and the California Coastal National Monument. The California Coastal National Monument is located off the 1,100 miles of California coastline, comprising more than 20,000 small islands, rocks, exposed reefs, and pinnacles between Mexico and Oregon.
Current agricultural activities such as grazing are not affected by the designation.
On December 3, 2009 and April 27, 2012 Thompson introduced legislation to expand the California Coastal National Monument and permanently protect the Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands.
The President’s action will fulfill the intent of these bills which is to protect the land and ensure the tourism economy can continue to thrive.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California’s 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
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