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Monday, October 25, 2010 Forwarded to Park Wavelengths Subscribers: Subject: Upcoming Public Meetings on Drakes Bay Oyster Company Special Use Permit Environmental Impact Statement The National Park Service is beginning the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act to evaluate a potential issuance of a Special Use Permit for commercial oyster operations within Drakes Estero at Point Reyes National Seashore. The National Park Service will be hosting three public meetings this week during the initial scoping phase of the Drakes Bay Oyster Company Special Use Permit Environmental Impact Statement. We know that some folks will be expecting a public hearing and presentation format, however, these meetings will be self-guided informational poster sessions, with comment stations, opportunities to ask questions, as well as areas to submit written comments. We have found this format works well because it is a neutral environment and allows the quieter voices to be heard. It is critical that everybody who wants to be able to give the park feedback is able to do so. Our goal is to be as inclusive as possible. All meetings will be identical in open house style format and are scheduled at the following locations: Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 6 p.m.–8 p.m. Wednesday, October 27, 2010, 6 p.m.–8 p.m. Thursday, October 28, 2010, 6 p.m.–8 p.m. If folks cannot attend one of the public scoping meetings or would like to provide comment in another form, they can still participate online or in writing. The preferred method for submitting comments is via the internet through the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment site at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/pore. From the main page, click on the Drakes Bay Oyster Company Special Use Permit EIS link, then on the "Open for Comment" link, and then follow the directions to comment. Comments may also be mailed or hand delivered to DBOC SUP EIS c/o Superintendent Please see our Drakes Bay Oyster Company Special Use Permit Environmental Impact Statement for more details on the environmental review process. [Editor's note: The content referenced in the preceeding sentence was removed from the park's website in 2024.] Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Sincerely, Melanie Gunn Monday, October 25, 2010 A rising new moon on November 5 brings a period of mid-morning extra high tides, followed by minus tides just after sundown; peak mornings are Friday and Saturday. The annual winter ocean process of removing sand from beaches and the exposures of shipwrecks begins with these high winter tides.
The Taurid meteor shower may be seen this week as well. Unlike other showers, no particular peak day is noted, but they should be easier to spot this year with no competing moonlight blocking viewing in the evenings. Friday morning last week, rangers traveling to the Lighthouse saw almost 20 turkey vultures perched along fence posts near the historic cemetery off Sir Francis Drake. Then they saw a flash of golden brown fur as two coyotes pulled and tussled over a meal of a dead buck. On the return trip at 5:30 p.m., the coyotes were gone and the vultures had settled in for the second course. Rainfall over the weekend brings our annual reminder about reporting downed trees. Trail crews need the following information for the speediest response:
Reports can be given to park visitor centers or dispatch (415-464-5170). All park visitor centers will be open on Thursday, November 11 for the Veterans Day Holiday and staff will be on regular patrol. Saturday, October 16, 2010 Forwarded to Park Wavelengths Subscribers:
Tuesday, October 12, 2010 A full moon rises on October 23 and may overwhelm the Orionid meteor shower. The "falling stars"—caused by the dust of Haley's comet—appear to originate in the constellation of Orion. The peak will be on Wednesday and Thursday in the early morning hours. Sunday, October 17 is the 21st anniversary of the Loma Prieta quake—"yowan-owits" or ground shake in Coast Miwok. Tom Smith, Bodega Coast Miwok, interviewed in the 1930's related how earthquakes are caused by a man lying under the ground, facedown with his arms outstretched who moves his fingers to cause the earth to move. He wants gifts, money, or beads, which are thrown into a fire after a quake. Tom gave three dimes to this man after the 1906 quake. Nicasio Coast Miwok Maria Copa, who was interviewed in the same period, related how earthquakes were caused by a big fish, who lived in the west with Coyote, snapping its tail. The first of the fall humpback whale sightings along the Great Beach has been reported. What a year with gray whales remaining the whole summer off the Lighthouse! The humpbacks are seen in small groups of three to four. They will stay in place for 30 to 40 minutes with flukes slapping the water and spouting. Coyote brush is flowering just in time for seed pods to be dispersed by afternoon winds. These low growing shrubs have male flowering bushes (yellow) and female bushes (very pale yellow) and are considered pioneer shrubs. They are often among the first of the chaparral group of plants to grow in open areas or disturbed soils, eventually giving way as trees establish and shade them out. The fall migration is bringing some unusual birds to the area. Palm warblers have been reported in the Drakes Beach cypress and colorful harlequin ducks in the offshore of Drakes. Unusual bird sightings are shared on the recorded Northern California Audubon line Bird Box (415) 681-7422. The cypress trees are havens in the north area for wandering migrants. Wednesday, October 6, 2010 Forwarded to Park Wavelengths Subscribers: More Burning in Olema Valley Tomorrow—Thursday, October 7, 2010 Fire management staff at Point Reyes National Seashore plan to burn another 75 acres in the Olema Valley tomorrow, Thursday, October 7, 2010. The burn unit is located on the east side of Highway One, along the McCurdy Trail, approximately 9 miles south of Olema, below the area known at 13 Curves. The McCurdy unit was scheduled for burning last fall, but was cancelled due to early rainfall. This year, the weather has created a window of opportunity to complete this work. Burning operations will be in progress from approximately 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Fire personnel will continue to monitor the burn unit into the early evening to ensure that the fire is completely out. The McCurdy Trail will be closed for the day, however all other trails in the Olema Valley will be open. No road closures are anticipated, however, there may be temporary traffic delays along Highway One due to fire equipment along the road. No major smoke impacts are anticipated, however, drivers should use extra caution if smoke is present. If the winds are from the southwest as forecasted, some smoke may be detected in the San Geronimo Valley. The series of controlled burns along Highway One are part of a strategy to create fuelbreaks along major road corridors in the park where a wildfire will be easier to control. The target burn rotation for the Highway One burn units is every other year to reduce the invasive French broom population and maintain open grasslands in between large areas of dense forest. Last week 110 acres were successfully burned at Strain Hill. Another 18 acres is also planned for this fall near Dogtown. A map of Highway One burn units is posted on the park website. For more information, contact fire education specialist Jennifer Chapman, 415-464-5133 or by email. ### Jennifer Chapman Friday, October 1, 2010 Forwarded to local Park Wavelengths list to assist with birding trips, etc.:
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Last updated: July 11, 2024