Point Reyes National Seashore
photo credit: National Parks Service

A long awaited agreement between the National Parks Service and ranchers in the Point Reyes National Seashore, brokered by the Nature Conservancy has been revealed.

Details in the secret negotiations, which have stretched over two years, have largely come from anonymous sources due to strict confidentiality agreements placed on the parties involved, but late Wednesday evening, the National Park Services announced a deal has been reached.

Six dairies and six beef ranching operations will vacate the park within the next 15 months. The closing operations will be compensated by the Nature Conservancy to exit the Seashore.

The end of the historic ranching operations brings to a close a unique chapter in the 63-year-old national seashore’s existence, with ranches predating the park’s 1962 creation.

Greg Sarris, Chairman of the Federated Indians of the Graton Rancheria says “As the only federally recognized tribe with ancestral lands in the Seashore, we look forward to working with the Seashore as partners, under our co-stewardship agreement."

Ranch residents and employees will exit the park under the agreement.

This is a breaking story, KRCB News will have more information on the historic settlement in the days to come.