Letter: Leland Yee thanks Feinstein, Lantos for GGRNA expansion on Coastside

Leland Yee is Speaker pro Tempore of the California State Assembly

Dear Editor,

I want to publicly thank Senator Dianne Feinstein and Congressman Tom Lantos for their commitment to the recent passage of the Rancho Corral de Tierra Golden Gate National Recreation Boundary Adjustment Act of 2005.

This Act will significantly increase the size of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, but more importantly it will permanently protect over 4,000 acres of open space on the Peninsula.  In fact, these areas will protect land from the Pacific Ocean to the watershed four miles inland as well as sensitive coastal habitat for golden eagles, mountain lions, and falcons, among other wildlife.

With the additional land secured by Feinstein and Lantos, the recreation area will grow to nearly 80,000 acres, making it the nation’s largest urban park.  Thanks to our delegation’s leadership, generations of Bay Area residents will be able to enjoy this protected open space.

It is imperative that we continue to be vigilant in protecting our environment.  Currently, there is an effort by Congressional Republicans to end the long-standing federal moratorium on offshore oil drilling.  Lifting this moratorium could have a devastating impact on our coastal communities, particularly to commercial fishing and tourism, which annually contributes over $50 billion to the state’s economy.

I look forward to continuing to work with our Congressional delegation in protecting our environmental resources.

Sincerely,

Leland Y. Yee, Ph.D.