Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke is expected to issue a recommendation on Aug. 24 that could possibly reduce the size of or rescind the designation of as many as 21 national monuments, including the Carrizo Plain, and the affected business community is making its voice heard.
Last week, more than 130 businesses in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Kern counties, sent a letter to Zinke urging him to leave the monument intact.
“National monuments help nearby communities diversify economically while increasing quality of life and recreational opportunities that make our cities and towns more attractive for new residents, businesses, and investment,” the letter reads.
The monuments have been under review since an April 2017 executive order from President Donald Trump.
In a statement, U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) called the order “a blatant attempt to undermine the National Antiquities Act,” and said it posed “a direct threat to the preservation of this unique habitat and economic engine for tourism on the Central Coast.”
According to a press release announcing the letter, the Outdoor Industry Association estimated that outdoor recreation pumps $92 billion to California’s economy each year and provides nearly 700,000 jobs.
“The Carrizo Plain National Monument brings huge benefits to our entire community, our employees, customers, and families,” Hans Cole, director of environmental campaigns and advocacy for the outdoor clothing and gear company Patagonia, said in the release. “This place is part of the unique, wild landscape that draws people to our region to work and play. It offers so much: solitude, beauty, magnificent biodiversity, as well as real and proven drivers of economic stability and growth. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to protect this place.”
The release also noted how vital the monument is to gateway communities like Atascadero, Santa Margarita, and Taft, which all saw increased tourism due to this year’s wildflower super bloom.
“People are rife for experiencing the outdoors and natural wonders like the super bloom,” David Stenstrom, who owns The Old Bear Bed and Breakfast in Pine Mountain Club, said in the release. “The Carrizo is a tremendous benefit to our community.”
According to Reuters, the Department of Interior has received more than a million public comments. The news agency also reported that environmental groups have received nearly 3 million comment submissions. The majority of the comments are in favor of keeping the monuments in their current forms.
“The outpouring of support to preserve our Carrizo Plain Monument has been overwhelming and tells this administration that Central Coast residents overwhelmingly want these public lands protected for future generations,” Carbajal said.
This article appears in Aug 24-31, 2017.