Rep. Huffman Sends Letter to Park Service Urging Protective Measures for Elephant Seals

January 31, 2023

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) sent the following letter to Point Reyes National Seashore Superintendent Craig Kenkel urging the park service to take measures to protect elephant seals:

 

“January 25, 2023

 

Craig Kenkel, Superintendent

Point Reyes National Seashore

1 Bear Valley Road

Point Reyes Station, CA 94956

 

Dear Superintendent Kenkel:

This letter is to follow up on our recent meeting wherein we discussed recent storm impacts on Point Reyes National Seashore (Seashore) among other issues. I would like to request an update on the issue of pupping elephant seals that may be straying from their normal pupping areas due to beach erosion from storms, and to reiterate my support for the park service taking whatever measures you deem necessary to protect the seals.  This would include measures to prevent the seals from hauling out or pupping in areas where there is a need to remediate water quality problems, and measures to temporarily prevent cattle from grazing in areas where the seals are present.

In closing, I want to again welcome you back to the Seashore and thank you in advance for staying in close touch with me and my staff on ways we can support your efforts to recover from the storm damage to roads and park resources in the Seashore, in particular, the pupping elephant seals.

Sincerely,

JARED HUFFMAN

Member of Congress”