Natural Resources Committee Advances Rep. Huffman’s First Bill as U.S. Congressman

June 12, 2013

Washington—The House Committee on Natural Resources today voted to advance the first bill introduced by Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) as a U.S. Congressman, the California Coastal National Monument Expansion Act of 2013 (H.R. 1411). The next step for Huffman’s bill is a vote on the House floor. Huffman’s bill expands the California Coastal National Monument by 1,255 acres through the addition of Mendocino’s Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands.

“I’m very pleased that the House Natural Resources Committee voted to advance my very first bill as a U.S. Congressman,” Congressman Huffman said. “Today, we’re one step closer towards protecting this jewel of California’s North Coast, and I hope to have a vote on the House floor soon.”

 

 

It is very rare for a freshman member in the minority party in the House to have their first bill as a Congressman approved by a committee so quickly. Today’s vote follows a House Natural Resources Committee hearing on Congressman Huffman’s bill on May 9, 2013, just a month after Huffman introduced the bill.

The bill would add 10 miles to the California Coastal Trail and includes other natural jewels such as the Garcia Estuary and two miles of the Garcia River, a critical habitat for salmon and steelhead. The land includes habitat for endangered species, and keeps the current recreational, ranching, and research uses of the land.

Huffman was joined by original cosponsor Congressman Mike Thompson, who previously represented the North Coast. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer have introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

Huffman’s bill is supported by Point Arena Mayor Lloyd Cross, the Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce, Visit Mendocino County, Inc., the Manchester-Point Arena Band of Pomo Indians, the Sierra Club, the Trust for Public Land, Mendocino Land Trust, Redwood Coast Conservancy, the Conservation Lands Foundation, the Wilderness Society, the Northcoast Environmental Center, local business and civic leaders, and the local community.  

Congressman Huffman, joined by Congressman Mike Thompson and Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, sent a letter to President Obama on February 26, 2013, urging him to use his executive authority under the Antiquities Act of 1906 to include the Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands in the California Coastal National Monument.

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