Document and article summaries
“RAG has hired former Republican Congressmember John Doolittle as a lobbyist, and they've also contacted U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., who Faber noted, "has a strong liking of Kevin Lunny." Feinstein has been a strong supporter of cattle ranching at Point Reyes National Seashore and tried to block the creation of the first marine wilderness on the West Coast in order to allow Lunny's oyster farm to continue operating at the park. That effort, which involved Drakes Bay Oyster Company teaming up with a group that has close ties to the ultra-conservative Koch Brothers, was ultimately unsuccessful, and the oyster business was forced to close at the end of 2014.”
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/8981322-181/point-reyes-cattle-ranches-gain
Lunny is tied to the evil Koch Bros and Feinstein. His oyster farm, despite his lie-filled website, was guilty of continual abuse of the area, despite claiming they were model stewards...you can see the graveyard of oysters to this day; absolutely not what that habitat would comprise of naturally. When his property was finally taken over 500 tons of debris had to be removed. A private source, scared to go public, told me about antlers and carcasses of deer and elk illegally hunted in the surrounding area stored in one of Lunny’s buildings. Further speculation indicates side money for allowing illegal hunting to privileged parties on his land.
The above violations are particularly believable after reviewing documents provided via FOIA, where kevin Lunny and his violation of his lease agreements during his time in the seashore is a recurring theme.
So how many businesses does Lunny have? He leased land inside the seashore for ranching, had the oyster company, and now gets $750,000 from the state to process manure that should be going away, not being rewarded.
Faber
"We just want to change the founding legislation of the [Point Reyes National Seashore] so that ranchers are guaranteed they'll always be able to farm out there," said Phyllis Faber, one of the principal founders of the group RAG and MALT
"We only want to see ranching incorporated into the founding legislation of the seashore," she said, adding that any process of amending laws would be public and transparent. Lunny, though, said that he and the rest of RAG — including two attorneys, Doolittle, and Watt — have agreed not to share publicly the language they have drafted and which they hope to embed into federal law.
But Lunny said "RAG hired Doolittle because, as a Republican, the conservative lobbyist "knows people" and has connections in the current Republican-dominated Congress.
Dolittle and Watt are well-known enemies of the environment. In addition Dolittle was part of the Abernoff scandal and Watt, a product of an agricultural university, calls nature a construct.
Is it coincidence that Lunny, one of the most outspoken of the ranchers, made sure he was quoted in the The Point Reyes Light’s coverage of The Mindful Eating Festival, despite not attending the festival...a festival that a rancher tried to sabotage?
“RAG has hired former Republican Congressmember John Doolittle as a lobbyist, and they've also contacted U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., who Faber noted, "has a strong liking of Kevin Lunny." Feinstein has been a strong supporter of cattle ranching at Point Reyes National Seashore and tried to block the creation of the first marine wilderness on the West Coast in order to allow Lunny's oyster farm to continue operating at the park. That effort, which involved Drakes Bay Oyster Company teaming up with a group that has close ties to the ultra-conservative Koch Brothers, was ultimately unsuccessful, and the oyster business was forced to close at the end of 2014.”
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/8981322-181/point-reyes-cattle-ranches-gain
Lunny is tied to the evil Koch Bros and Feinstein. His oyster farm, despite his lie-filled website, was guilty of continual abuse of the area, despite claiming they were model stewards...you can see the graveyard of oysters to this day; absolutely not what that habitat would comprise of naturally. When his property was finally taken over 500 tons of debris had to be removed. A private source, scared to go public, told me about antlers and carcasses of deer and elk illegally hunted in the surrounding area stored in one of Lunny’s buildings. Further speculation indicates side money for allowing illegal hunting to privileged parties on his land.
The above violations are particularly believable after reviewing documents provided via FOIA, where kevin Lunny and his violation of his lease agreements during his time in the seashore is a recurring theme.
So how many businesses does Lunny have? He leased land inside the seashore for ranching, had the oyster company, and now gets $750,000 from the state to process manure that should be going away, not being rewarded.
Faber
"We just want to change the founding legislation of the [Point Reyes National Seashore] so that ranchers are guaranteed they'll always be able to farm out there," said Phyllis Faber, one of the principal founders of the group RAG and MALT
"We only want to see ranching incorporated into the founding legislation of the seashore," she said, adding that any process of amending laws would be public and transparent. Lunny, though, said that he and the rest of RAG — including two attorneys, Doolittle, and Watt — have agreed not to share publicly the language they have drafted and which they hope to embed into federal law.
But Lunny said "RAG hired Doolittle because, as a Republican, the conservative lobbyist "knows people" and has connections in the current Republican-dominated Congress.
Dolittle and Watt are well-known enemies of the environment. In addition Dolittle was part of the Abernoff scandal and Watt, a product of an agricultural university, calls nature a construct.
Is it coincidence that Lunny, one of the most outspoken of the ranchers, made sure he was quoted in the The Point Reyes Light’s coverage of The Mindful Eating Festival, despite not attending the festival...a festival that a rancher tried to sabotage?
Jeff Miller FOIA review of 21 documents released by NPS in August 2015
1. 1-4-94 Lunny Appraisal
Western Region appraiser reviews Lunny special use permit regarding changes in use of property since 1989. Takes Lunny’s assertion as fact - without evidence - that Lunny is only using 180 acres for hay, rather than the 215 in his permit, to reduce rent by $350/year. Gives Lunny 25% rent discount ($3,000/year) on houses and structures due to “remote location allowance.”
2. 3-20-08 Lunny Notes
“Windshield survey” by Park Service and EBMUD ranger of Lunny Ranch – counts 98 cows and 26 calves on G Ranch, plus 131 total head in the Coast Guard pasture.
3. 8-30-07 Neubacher-Lunny
Lunny letter referring to NPS imposed removal of cows from Lunny Ranch; letter to PORE asking to be able to use corrals next to G Ranch, move cows from Coast Guard pasture to corrals for medical care, then back to pasture. Neubacher gives permission – wants to finalize Lunny permit
4. 9-14-07 letter Neubacher to Lunny
Letter authorizing 232 AUMs on G Ranch for interim period from 9/14/07 to 12/7/07, when annual 1080 AUMs is available. Notes that Lunny claims has 580 AUMs left for year for this allotment and is requesting 580 AUMs for interim period. NPS will authorize if Lunny can substantiate claim.
5. 11-7-07 Turnbull to Lunny
PORE sent Lunny Special Use Permit in December 2007. Lunny tried to negotiate terms, finally signed on April 11, 2007. Lunny raised issues in October 11, 2007 letter. NPS willing to resolve issues, including replacement of roof. Keeps penalties for Lunny at $50 per day even though standard penalty has changed to $100 per day. Issues to be resolved: number and location of acres to be cultivated, updated appraisal if cultivated acres are adjusted, type of tilling and cultivation allowed, relation of AUMs to feed lot and access to and from Coast Guard pasture, mutually verifiable grazing plan by month. Notes Lunny asserts he has not exceeded annual stocking level of 1080 AUMs – NPS has not resolved whether this is the case and whether compensation for additional AUMs will be required.
1. 1-4-94 Lunny Appraisal
Western Region appraiser reviews Lunny special use permit regarding changes in use of property since 1989. Takes Lunny’s assertion as fact - without evidence - that Lunny is only using 180 acres for hay, rather than the 215 in his permit, to reduce rent by $350/year. Gives Lunny 25% rent discount ($3,000/year) on houses and structures due to “remote location allowance.”
2. 3-20-08 Lunny Notes
“Windshield survey” by Park Service and EBMUD ranger of Lunny Ranch – counts 98 cows and 26 calves on G Ranch, plus 131 total head in the Coast Guard pasture.
3. 8-30-07 Neubacher-Lunny
Lunny letter referring to NPS imposed removal of cows from Lunny Ranch; letter to PORE asking to be able to use corrals next to G Ranch, move cows from Coast Guard pasture to corrals for medical care, then back to pasture. Neubacher gives permission – wants to finalize Lunny permit
4. 9-14-07 letter Neubacher to Lunny
Letter authorizing 232 AUMs on G Ranch for interim period from 9/14/07 to 12/7/07, when annual 1080 AUMs is available. Notes that Lunny claims has 580 AUMs left for year for this allotment and is requesting 580 AUMs for interim period. NPS will authorize if Lunny can substantiate claim.
5. 11-7-07 Turnbull to Lunny
PORE sent Lunny Special Use Permit in December 2007. Lunny tried to negotiate terms, finally signed on April 11, 2007. Lunny raised issues in October 11, 2007 letter. NPS willing to resolve issues, including replacement of roof. Keeps penalties for Lunny at $50 per day even though standard penalty has changed to $100 per day. Issues to be resolved: number and location of acres to be cultivated, updated appraisal if cultivated acres are adjusted, type of tilling and cultivation allowed, relation of AUMs to feed lot and access to and from Coast Guard pasture, mutually verifiable grazing plan by month. Notes Lunny asserts he has not exceeded annual stocking level of 1080 AUMs – NPS has not resolved whether this is the case and whether compensation for additional AUMs will be required.
| foia_12.pdf |
| foia_11.pdf |
