Natural Resources Committee To Hold Markup on Rep. Huffman’s First Bill as U.S. Congressman

June 11, 2013

Washington—The House Committee on Natural Resources will hold a markup this Wednesday, June 12 at 10 a.m. ET, 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). This is the next step before a vote on the House floor for Huffman’s bill, which would expand the California Coastal National Monument by 1,255 acres through the addition of Mendocino’s Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands.

The markup will be livestreamed HERE.

It is rare for the legislation of a freshman member in the minority party in the House to be granted a markup in committee so quickly. The House Natural Resources Committee held a 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’s bill is supported by Point Arena Mayor Lloyd Cross, the Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce, Visit Mendocino County, 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.  

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