Manager California and Nevada Fish and Wildlife Operations

2800 Cottage Way Room W-2606

Sacramento, CA 95825

May 25, 2001

Re: Marin Baylands Wildlife Refuge

Dear Mr. Spear,

Founded in 1926, the Marin Rod and Gun Club has owned and located their clubhouse and recreation facility on 55 acres situated on the San Francisco Bay adjacent to the northwest side of the San Rafael Bridge.

On May 21, it came to our attention that we were being included in a USFWS study area for a proposed wildlife refuge. Our organization was not formally notified by USFWS of such a significant re-designation that could potentially restrict and impact the historic use of our property. We have two requests.

1. Stop the study for the proposed wildlife refuge. There was no community outreach with our members, local officials, property owners or concerned citizens to discuss the possibility of considering a wildlife refuge.

Your agency is usurping the local planning process, which is taking place in both the County Of Marin and the City of San Rafael right now, and has been in process for the past year. Why did you not participate?

If you really want to work with the community, go back to the beginning. Bring the idea of a refuge to the citizens of Marin County and go through the local planning process to determine the need for a refuge and who should be included. USFWS should not be making that decision alone.

Marin is very conscientious in environmental planning. We have almost 85% of our lands protected, there is a Bay front Conservation Zone with very strict guidelines for protection, most of properties included in your proposed 17,600 acre study area already are under the watchful eye of your agency, local State Fish and Game, BCDC, and Regional Water Quality to name a few.

The very looming question on everybody's mind: Is another layer of a wildlife refuge necessary or desirable? With the enormous level of concern and potential impacts to property owners, the cities and the county that must be studied, you must allow the citizens of Marin County to conduct their own analysis before you waste tax payers money on a study to determine who should be included in refuge. You have put the cart before the horse.

2. The Marin Rod and Gun Club has over 1,200 members. Our organizations' "Constitution And By-Laws" are based on taking an active part in the conservation and propagation of fish, game and forest in the State of California. And as a not-for-profit club we donate funds and Volunteer our time to a number of organizations directed towards these goals (which parallel many of those of the USFAWS).

Additionally, each year the Marin Rod & Gun Club awards a number of graduate scholarships in the field of wildlife management and related professions.

We feel that the impact of this study will curtail our efforts. We have a Clubhouse, a pier that extends out into the bay, and a boat-launching ramp. Our members' fish, boat, and picnic on the property.

We periodically have very large events like fishing derbies, picnics and environmental educational programs. There is ongoing maintenance on our pier and clubhouse. What impact will a wildlife refuge have on our current and long term use of our property?

Please take these requests seriously.

Sincerely,

CC:

Gale Norton, Department of Interior

Julie Bornstein, Cal. Housing Dept.

Bill Pavao, Cal. Dept. Housing

Mel Martinez, U.S. Department of HUD

Marge Kolar, Project Mgr. USFWS

Mike Spear, Regional Director USF&WS

Dan Ashe, USF&WS , Regional Refuge Director

Charles Houghten, USFWS, National Refuge Director

Novato Council

San Rafael Chamber

Congresswoman Woolsey

Senators Feinstein & Boxer

Marin & Sonoma Supervisors

Bay Planning Coalition

San Rafael Council Members

Assemblyman Joe Nation

Manager California and Nevada Fish and Wildlife Operations

Mike Sousa