NEWS & PUBLICATIONS

National Parks Conservation Association Says Sen. Feinstein, Boxer Legislation Would Protect Channel Islands National Park, Welcome Visitors

Press Statement by Ron Sundergill, Pacific Regional Director

The National Parks Conservation Association strongly supports the efforts of Senator Feinstein and Senator Boxer to protect Channel Islands National Park, and ensure that this park is accessible and open to all Americans.

The Feinstein-Boxer bill would repeal the provision that Rep. Duncan Hunter snuck into a defense bill last year to close part of Channel Islands to visitors and authorize the continuation of private deer and elk hunts.

Santa Rosa Island, the island targeted by Rep. Hunter’s provision, is the second-largest island within the park. It is owned by all Americans and should be open to all Americans to enjoy, not used as an exclusive hunting preserve for several months of the year.

Already, the exclusive hunting operations on Santa Rosa Island threaten several endangered species, including the American bald eagle, the Channel Island fox, and rare plants, and close off 90 percent of the island to the public for at least four months each year.

Public access should not be limited because a few powerful interests want it to be an exclusive hunting ground. Senators Feinstein and Boxer are to be commended for seeking to protect all of Channel Islands National Park for all Americans to enjoy, and for proposing to reverse Rep. Hunter’s ill-advised effort to limit public access.

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