On Monday, July 22, 2013, the House will consider H.R. 1411, the California Coastal National Monument Expansion Act of 2013, under a suspension of the rules.  The bill was introduced on April 9, 2013 by Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, which ordered the bill reported by unanimous consent.

H.R. 1411 would expand the boundary of the California Coastal National Monument to include 1,255 acres of federal land, known as the Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands and located in Mendocino County, California.  The land is currently managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The bill would require the BLM to manage the land as a part of the National Landscape Conservation System.  The bill also instructs the Secretary of the Interior to finalize an amendment to the California Coastal National Monument’s management plan within two years for the long-term protection and management of the 1,255 new acres. 

The bill also ensures that traditional economic activities like the grazing of cattle will continue on the monument.  It also prevents restrictions on military and commercial low-level overflights, military training activities, and DHS law enforcement activities.

The California Coastal National Monument was created by Presidential Proclamation 7264, on January 11, 2000.  It is located along 1,100 miles of California’s coastline and comprises more than 20,000 small islands, rocks, exposed reefs, and pinnacles.  The land is protected as a part of the National Landscape Conservation System, which is administered by the BLM.

In 2004, the BLM acquired 1,100 acres through donation.  In 2011, the BLM acquired approximately 123 acres of additional lands from the Cypress Abbey Corporation through a combination of donation and acquisition using the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).  

According to the CBO, the bill would have no effect on direct spending or revenues.  The CBO expects the bill to have no significant impact on the federal budget.[1]

For questions or further information contact the Conference Policy Shop at 5-5107.