New Point Reyes water pollution data add pressure on ranches
The debate over coastal cattle and dairy ranching has revived as unsafe levels of fecal bacteria continue to contaminate waterways in the Point Reyes National Seashore. Park data from a year of testing concluded that E. coli exceeded health standards in roughly 31% of the samples collected from 24 sites, including at Kehoe Beach and Drakes Bay. The data were presented to the California Coastal Commission on Thursday as part of a first annual update on the National Park Service’s water quality management plan to curb water contamination caused by the ranching. Commissioners and environmentalists said they want a resolution, with many calling for a halting or reduction of coastal ranching.