Drakes Bay Oyster Co. Shutdown Appears Imminent; Settlement Being Negotiated
MARIN COUNTY (KCBS)— After nearly two years of legal battles, it appears the Drakes Bay Oyster Company will soon shut down its farm in the Point Reyes National Seashore.
While the farm remained open on Tuesday, a settlement between its owners and the federal government about when operations will cease appears to be in the works.
The Supreme Court refused to hear the Drakes Bay Oyster Company's challenge to the government's decision to let the company's lease at the Point Reyes National Seashore expire, but their attorney Peter Prows said the owners are still challenging that decision.
Drakes Bay Oyster Co. Shutdown Appears Imminent; Settlement Being Negotiated
"The federal judge in Oakland who is hearing our case has allowed us an opportunity to amend our complaint to refine our claims or certain new claims if that's what we decide to do," Prows said.
Prows added that the judge has given Drakes Bay until the end of August to make that decision.
In the meantime, both sides were in court Monday and a settlement is reportedly being discussed as to when the company will shut down and let the National Park Service take over the land.
"The onshore facilities will be open for a few more weeks, but beyond that, the park service has said that they can terminate those operations," Prows said.
This fight began in 2012 when then Interior Secretary Ken Salazar opted to allow the lease Drakes Bay had with the government to expire, as it was set to do, so the land could return to wilderness.
Calls to the National Park Service about any settlement or when the oyster company may be shut down have not been returned.
