Congress Investigates Deal to Oust Historic Ranching Community at California National Park

A buyout that settled decades of land use conflicts in Point Reyes has come under scrutiny over lack of transparency and environmental impacts.

Cows eat a mixture of alfalfa, hay and corn at a dairy in Point Reyes Station, Calif., on June 12, 2007. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES—The U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources on April 10 announced it is investigating a controversial settlement among ranchers, conservation groups, and the National Park Service that will largely end multi-generational organic dairy and cattle ranching at the Point Reyes National Seashore in Northern California.

Republican members of the committee sent letters to five conservation groups involved in the January settlement determining the future of the national park, citing concerns over a “lack of transparency surrounding the settlement” as well as potential environmental and legal consequences, and requested extensive discovery related to the matter.