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Filed Under:Coastal, Drake's Bay, Drakes Bay Oyster Co., Jeffrey Schaub, Kevin Lunny, Marin, Oysters, Point Reyes, Tomales Bay, Zoning
Drake's Bay Oyster Farm(Frank Schulenburg/Creative Commons)

POINT REYES (KCBS)— The imperiled Drakes Bay Oyster Company in the Point Reyes National Seashore may have one more day in court after all.

A group of businesses that rely on the oyster farm will head to court this week to try and get the operation re-opened. The group says the U.S. Department of Interior could potentially move to close other West Marin farms and ranches, including the nearby Tomales Bay Oyster Company.

The federal judge in this case, separate from the case where the Lunny’s (Drakes Bay owners) are the plaintiffs, must decide whether or not those who lease property from the federal park service have a case.

Kevin Lunny broke down the legal argument.

“The Coastal Management Act says that land and agriculture in the coastal zone has to remain in agriculture unless you go through a major review process,” he said.

The judge’s decision could influence how private industries like farms, lumber and mining operations use public lands.

Drakes Bay Oyster Co. closed its operation July 31.

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