Obama to preserve California federal lands

[antiquie]

KEY LARGO, Fla -- President Barack Obama will expand the California Coastal National Monument to include the Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands, a White House official said Saturday.

Expected Tuesday, the action will permanently protect some 1,665 acres of federal lands on the Mendocino County coast in Northern California, just north of Point Arena.

It will expand a national monument created in 2000 by President Bill Clinton to include coastal bluffs and shelves, tide pools, onshore sand dunes, coastal prairies, riverbanks and the mouth and estuary of the Garcia River.

The area to be preserved is a significant economic engine for the local community, driving tourism and outdoor recreation. A report by the federal Bureau of Land Management estimated that outdoor recreation on public lands in California contributed nearly $900 million to the economy in 2012.

[indie9197]

1. Great. Another place that used to belong to us

that we will now have to pay money to enter.

[NV Whino]

4. So, you would rather have coastal McMansions there?

Much of our coastal access is free. An example is the coastal paths preserved at Sea Ranch, just up the coast a bit from this area. In fact, all along the coast down to SanLuis Obispo is free access.

Trust me, this is a good thing.

[In_The_Wind]

2. That's an excellent idea!

[pinto]

3. Mendocino's Stornetta Lands to be national monument (The Press Democrat)

Mendocino's Stornetta Lands to be national monument

The Stornetta Public Lands, a breathtaking stretch of Mendocino County coast near Point Arena, will be declared part of a national monument Tuesday by President Barack Obama, White House officials said Saturday.

Obama will issue an executive order to expand the 1,100-mile California Coastal National Monument and take in the rugged, biologically rich expanse of 1,665 acres in an Oval Office ceremony with a local presence.

“It’s finally happening,” said former Point Arena Mayor Leslie Dahlhoff, who was part of a 2-year grassroots campaign to protect the lands. She will be among three local residents to attend the signing Tuesday.

Boosters believe the monument designation, in addition to offering additional federal protection for the land, will raise the profile of the south Mendocino Coast and provide a much-needed economic infusion.

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20140309/articles/140309618#page=1

[antiquie]

5. Great news.