In a historic settlement announced Wednesday, most ranching operations at Point Reyes National Seashore will cease within the next 18 months, marking the end of an era that predates the California Gold Rush. The agreement comes after years of tension between ranching families and environmental advocates over the impact of cattle operations on the seashore's ecosystem.
The deal, mediated by The Nature Conservancy, will phase out 12 of the existing ranches, reducing cattle numbers from over 10,000 to approximately 200. Departing ranchers will share roughly $40 million in compensation, while ranch employees will receive about $2.5 million in relocation assistance.
The settlement stems from lawsuits filed by environmental groups - Resource Renewal Institute, the Center for Biological Diversity, and Western Watersheds Project - challenging the National Park Service's continued leasing of land to commercial beef and dairy operations.
Environmental advocates have long argued that the ranches cause substantial ecological damage through manure disposal and methane emissions. They also contend that the operations have restricted the movement of native tule elk and limited their access to resources.
"The elk will now have the ability to move freely throughout the national seashore and expand their populations to a natural level," said Erik Molvar, executive director of Western Watersheds Project. The agreement is expected to benefit native coastal grasslands, improve stream conditions for salmon and steelhead, and expand public access through new trails and camping sites.
For ranching families, the decision carries emotional weight. Kevin Lunny, a third-generation rancher, expressed mixed feelings about the agreement. "Even though I knew it was coming, it's super hard," he said, noting the impact on the local rural community.
The National Park Service will oversee the transition of approximately 16,000 acres of ranchland. Point Reyes National Seashore Superintendent Anne Altman highlighted that future management will focus on visitor opportunities, non-lethal elk management, and cooperation with the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria.
This compromise represents a major shift in land use at Point Reyes, balancing environmental preservation with the region's ranching heritage. While most ranching operations will end, two ranches will continue operating, maintaining a small agricultural presence in this historic landscape.