Only In Marin
Parting thoughts on Point Reyes ranching and a splash of the grape By Bill Meagher
T here has been no shortage of words used to describe the changes coming to the Point Reyes National Seashore, and many of them have been found in this very periodical. I point to a wonderful piece by Judith M. Wilson in the March issue. That said, please indulge me for a moment. Over the years I’ve written here and elsewhere about the clash between those making a living running cattle and dairy farming and those who believe the national seashore should be pure, free of commerce. Two key words in that sentence are years and clash.
PRNS, I am not sure the size of the change will have much effect on stores or other businesses in Point Reyes Station, and [it] also depends on how that revenue is redistributed. If the businesses end and the revenue leaves Marin County 100%, there may be some noticeable effects. If it redistributes to other parts of Marin County, the county economy is unlikely to feel much of a change in the aggregate, but may in West Marin.” Dollars are just one way to
measure loss. The cultural harm from this dispute will be steep. West Marin is the last nod to how Marin once was. While San Rafael weighs how tall new buildings will be, family ag scrounges empty boxes in which to pack its history. Your Marin Moment There is a tendency in our county to consider things in a serious manner. When you take a lot of education, spare time and cash, and give it a good shake, sometimes the result is an environment where life follows a linear path and the pronouncements feel as if they have come down off a mountain, or at the very least a tall hill with superior cow placement. So, the opening of a new wine bar in Tiburon where the name can be translated into “Let there be love,” is both a lovely sentiment and a location with an extensive wine-by-the-glass program. Mog Asu Wine Bar is tucked into the Cove Shopping Center in a building that formerly housed a Bank of Marin branch. Married couple Fedric D’Costa and Emily Lund created the nicely appointed little sip and nosh shop. You might say—who wants to drink in a bank building? But the thought cheers me as I think of the too many moments when I needed a drink after some poor bank staffer had to explain to me the lowly balance of my account. The wine selection hails from Europe, South America, down under as well as the west coast. A variety of small plates are available as well, perfect for sharing unless you are with folks who ask if they can have one of your fries and then eat all of them. g
The historic Pierce Point Ranch in Point Reyes.
Resolving issues in Marin is a time-consuming process, and despite the recent settlement, the clock will continue to run on ranches in the seashore as Nicolette and William Neiman sue the Park Service over booting ranchers out. And Andrew Giacomini has brought an action alleging the Park Service and the Nature Conservancy conspired to push agriculture out of the park. Giacomini represents workers living on ranches and farms who not only lose their jobs but their housing as a result of the settlement. As for clashes, I’ve seen a simple request to add a bedroom and bath to a home at a planning commission take 18 months with a parade of neighbors up against a homeowner trotting out a lawyer, a landscape architect, a regular architect, a feng shui advisor and a massage therapist. The actual amount of the settlement has remained secret thanks to all parties signing non-disclosure agreements. The Point Reyes Light said the amount of cash is in the neighborhood of $40 million, which isn’t exactly a low-rent district. One factor left out of the back and forth of agriculture vanishing from the seashore is what it will mean in terms of economic impact. In 2023, the last complete year where data is available, ag produced $85.3 million in Marin, with poultry and dairy leading the way. But it isn’t just what sale of the products brought in, it’s also how many times those dollars are rolled over in the community. Local businesses who make money from supplying ranchers and farmers will see a dip in revenues. The loss of jobs also means the former employees now have less income to buy goods and services in the community. Finally, there is a loss of tax revenues which can affect the level of services available to local residents. But I’m not an economist, so I reached out to Dr. Robert Eyler from Sonoma State and a columnist in this very magazine. “In the case of
Meagher is a columnist, contributing editor and disturber of norms at NorthBay biz. He is also a senior reporter at the Manhattan-based digital financial news outlet The Deal.
May 2025
NorthBaybiz 19
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