Corda Dairy

5493 Redwood Hwy. So.

Petaluma, CA 94952

April 25, 2001

Marshal Jones, Acting Director

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Department of the Interior

18 & C Street NW

Washington, D.C. 20240

Dear Mr. Jones:

As a fourth generation family farmer, I am strongly opposed to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposed boundary line around our property.

I am opposed for several reasons; two of which I will comment on below:

1. Landowners were not properly advised of the USFWS proposal in the early stages of this project.

2. Environmental groups had more input on the original boundary lines, than did the people it would impact the most—farmers and property owners.

With the high cost of production and the lowest milk prices in 20 years, we do not need another obstacle to reduce our income. It is evident that with the huge loss of dairy farm families in Mann County over the past five years, we cannot afford to reduce our income anymore.

We must not lose anymore agricultural production in Mann County. To keep agriculture viable in this county, we need to protect the land that is in agriculture today, and not impose other needless restrictions on the already over-burdened farmer.

We can protect the environment and protect the people and land that bring top quality food and fiber to North Bay consumers. A healthy agriculture keeps land in production and on the tax rolls while providing open space and wildlife habitat. Farmers provide jobs, which stimulates the local economy. A productive agriculture benefits people and wildlife.

Again, I am opposed to the USFWS boundary line, which encompasses my family’s property.

Sincerely,

Jerry Corda