Natural Resources Committee Holds Hearing on Rep. Huffman’s First Bill as U.S. Congressman

May 09, 2013

Washington—The House Committee on Natural Resources today held a hearing on 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). Huffman’s bill would expand the California Coastal National Monument by 1,255 acres through the addition of Mendocino’s Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands.

“I am pleased that the Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on my first bill as a United States Congressman—a bill that would permanently protect 1,255 acres of pristine California coastline,” Congressman Huffman said. “We must do everything we can to preserve the beauty of the North Coast for our children and grandchildren, and this hearing is an important step.”

It is a rare opportunity for a freshman member in the minority party in the House to be granted a committee hearing so quickly: today’s consideration of H.R. 1411 came just a month after Huffman introduced the bill.

At the hearing, Huffman was joined by Scott Schneider, President and CEO of Visit Mendocino County, Inc., the official Mendocino County Tourism Bureau. Schneider testified before the committee on the economic benefit of Congressman Huffman’s bill to the local economy. His prepared testimony can be found HERE.

In addition, Carl Rountree, Assistant Director of the Bureau of Land Management, an agency within the Department of the Interior, testified at the hearing that the U.S. Department of the Interior supports H.R. 1411, which would “promote the continued conservation, protection, and restoration of these significant public lands.” His prepared testimony can be found HERE.

“I want to thank Congressman Huffman for working to protect the natural beauty of the Mendocino Coast and thank the Committee for scheduling a hearing on this important bill,” Scott Schneider said. “This bill is a jobs bill—Mendocino County’s largest employer is tourism, and Congressman Huffman’s bill would give a much-needed economic boost to the region.”

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’s bill is supported by Point Arena Mayor Lloyd Cross, 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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