A lawsuit brought in federal court on Monday challenges the National Park Service's plan for managing agriculture and wildlife at Point Reyes National Seashore in California. At the heart of the filing is a claim that the Park Service is embracing cattle ranches to the detriment of native Tule elk in the seashore.

Ansel Adams, the venerated photographer of America’s national parks and wild lands famously remarked, “It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment.” He would make the same observation today.

The final Record of Decision (ROD) on livestock operations management at Point Reyes National Seashore was released this week. Unfortunately, and as feared, it not only maintains the ongoing degradation of this national park unit by privately owned domestic livestock, but it expands the opportunities for a handful of ranchers to do even more damage to the public’s landscape with additional lands opened for grazing, as well as the planting of row crops.

A 100 percent increase in camping fees is being proposed for Point Reyes National Seashore in California. Park staff say the increases are needed to enable the park to better maintain facilities, enhance visitor services, and provide for better resource protection.