Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, center, talks DrakeÕs Bay Oyster Company part-owner Kevin Lunny, left, during a tour at the Point Reyes National Seashore near Point Reyes Station, California on Wednesday, November 21, 2012. (BETH SCHLANKER/ The Press Democrat)

Letter of the Day: Underlying issues

Underlying issues

EDITOR: Drakes Bay was selected for restoration because of the scarcity of such estuary ecosystems, which provide invaluable habitat for marine life. It was purchased by the Interior Department in 1972 with a mandate that it be returned to its near-natural state in 2012. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar enforced this mandate last year.

The oyster farm that has occupied this estero isn't compatible with the restored ecosystem, and this dictates its closure. Regrettably, this results in some lost jobs, which has raised opposition to this restoration - but this closure date was always understood.

Oil and gas interests have seized the opportunity to support reversal of this mandate to set precedents for opening other protected lands for exploitation and overturning future environmental safeguards.

Sacrificing this national heritage for a few jobs, while setting precedents that would assist those who are intent on exploiting our environment, would be an indefensible misallocation of our priorities.

ROBERT SETTGAST

San Rafael

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