The beaches of Point Reyes are among the most visited in the world.
losing two of our 13 supplying farms within the park poses a challenge as demand for Straus products continues to grow,” he says. The ultimate impact on the local economy, though, is difficult to predict. Robert Eyler, an economics professor at Sonoma State University and chief economist of the Marin Economic Forum for several years, believes the loss of 12 ranches is unlikely to have a major effect. “If [the ranchers] decide to continue ranching and relocate to Sonoma County, Marin will lose, and Sonoma will gain,” he says. He explains that everything presumes a 100% loss in Marin County, and if the ranches leave the area completely, it will be a shock, but that’s still unknown. He points out that the closures will impact the workers who live on the ranches more than anyone, and if family members have other jobs locally and don’t want to give them up, “It puts more pressure on the housing market if folks intend to stay.” Feed suppliers, veterinarians and machine repair services will also face a loss of business. “[But] until we have a little more meat on the bone in terms of information, it’s all conjecture,” Eyler says. He adds that tourism is important locally and, while that doesn’t lessen the importance of agriculture, he doesn’t think the loss of the ranches will have an enormous effect. Bell believes that PRNS is an incredible space and a special place for many people, including tourists, and finds it unfortunate that so many people were locked in conflict for so long. “Litigation is never the best solution. By engaging and using different tools, we were able to find a solution that wasn’t there before,” he says. “We hope that helps the parks service find peace from this conflict.” g
Next steps: restoring the land Once the ranches go dark, “NPS lands vacated by ranchers will be rezoned as part of the Scenic Landscape Zone,” says Melanie Gunn, outreach coordinator for the National Park Service. Then The Nature Conservancy will work directly with the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, a partner in management of PRNS, on restoration. Graton Chairman Greg Sarris is pleased that the controversy and litigation have finally come to an end. “As the only federally recognized tribe with ancestral lands in the seashore, we look forward to working with the seashore as partners, under our co-stewardship agreement, and The Nature Conservancy as a partner, to implement cultural and natural resource management activities.” Bell reports that TNC also hopes to collaborate with local organizations that have experience in research and land management, and he believes “it could be a really cool chapter for Point Reyes National Seashore.” He adds that they will find the best outcomes possible; among the considerations are fire- fuel management, abating weed outbreaks, creating optimal conditions for rare and endangered species, as well as restoration of coastal wetlands and grasslands. Targeted ecological grazing is also a possibility. “Our role is [as an] implementing partner in carrying out those objectives,” he says. Devastating loss, or peace at last? Meanwhile the close coastal community has to deal with the fallout from changes it didn’t want. Albert Straus of Straus Family Creamery has made it a mission to sustain family farming in West Marin and describes the settlement as a devastating loss to local farming and the region’s milk shed. His business depends on a thriving local network of dairy farms to produce high-quality, minimally-processed dairy products and will lose suppliers with the closures. “Marin County has already seen its number of dairies dwindle by 33% over the past decade, and
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March 2025
NorthBaybiz 41
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