Point Reyes leadership must stop cattle ranching

The tule elk in Point Reyes National Seashore are being unfairly targeted to be killed because that is what the ranchers want. The national park was set up to protect this beautiful area from development.

The tule elk were reintroduced and have thrived. They are not a threat.

National Park Service officials argue for killing more of them, even though more than 250 died from lack of water sources in 2015. The park’s staff has done nothing to investigate birth control measures for the herds. Apparently, killing is easier.

There are approximately 140 elk and more than 6,000 polluting cattle. Cattle are the problem.

Point Reyes National Seashore officials introduced a number of management plans to the public. The most damaging to the area is the plan giving ranchers longer leases and allowing more animal agriculture. This is the plan being sold to the public.

Unfortunately, elected officials in Marin — many who claim to be environmentalists — pander to the demands of the ranchers. It appears that they have already agreed to onranch slaughtering. The public is in a position to prevent more commercialization and protect one of the few remaining areas of natural coastline by speaking out.

The California Coastal Commission leaders, newly appointed Point Reyes National Seashore Superintendent Craig Kenkel and politicians need to be reminded that this is public land. The continual fecal pollution and commercialization needs to end.

Left unopposed, the national park’s leadership will allow the creation of “Harris Ranch style” of businesses on this public land.

— Sidney Dent, San Quentin