Hearts Desire, Shell Beach and Millerton Point Closed Tuesdays through Thursdays   As State Parks closures hit home, Dewey Livingston provides an historical and personal perspective.  Meanwhile, locals await announcements of public forums to consider the issues from the "Open Parks Coalition."  George Clyde reports.

Two Tomales Bay Stories: Hog Island Oyster Company Certified for Sustainable Practices, and Rancher Required to Remove Illegal Fence  (1) The Food Alliance has made its first awards to shellfish producers, including Hog Island Oyster Company; John Finger comments to KWMR's Robin Carpenter.  (2) The Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary's Superintendent Maria Brown tells George Clyde about recent Tomales Bay enforcement activities, including an illegal fence installed by a local rancher.  Click here for a Google Earth photo of the fence before it was removed.

Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Released Friday, Gets First Reviews From Key Players  KWMR hears from EAC's Amy Trainer, from Neal Desai of the National Parks Conservation Association, and from Drakes Bay Oyster Company owner Kevin Lunny with their reactions to the DEIS and what they hope their supporters will say in comments and the public meetings ahead.  George Clyde reports.  Links: Info, Full DEIS, unedited statements/interviews.

$450K Grant from the California Coastal Conservancy to the Open Space District for Forest Knolls Parcel  Public acquisition of the property will protect the environment and ensure that hikers, bikers and horseback riders can continue using the Manzanita Fire Road to get to the Gary Giacomini Open Space Preserve and other park areas.  Local resident Delos Putz tells George Clyde about the project, the $100K coming from the County, and the $100K yet to be raised with help from the Marin Open Space Trust.

Two Stories: Seashore Releases Draft EIS for Oyster Farm, and KWMR Goes Whale Watching  (1) Melanie Gunn announces that the long-awaited draft is available now for reading and comment. Links to Info and Full DEIS.  (2) KWMR's George Clyde joins Jennifer Stock and Doreen Moser Gurrola on a fall whale-watching trip in our local waters, as we come into the prime fall season.  Upcoming trips: EAC, Oceanics Society, Leatherback Turtle Trip.  UPDATE report from September 27

Marin Chambers of Commerce Honor Jack Kramer for Community Service  The founder of Point Reyes Nation and an active participant in many local non-profits, Jack Kramer receives the "Spirit of Marin" Volunteer of the Year Award today, chosen by the West Marin Chamber of Commerce.  KWMR's George Clyde interviews Kramer about the role of non-profits in West Marin and his personal observations regarding community service. Photo by Linda Peterson for the West Marin Citizen, which will have a story on the award in its Thursday edition.

Federal, State and County Officials Celebrate the First Project of Many  Over a decade of planning for restoration of Bolinas Lagoon is finally coming to fruition as Caltrans is restoring and replacing damaged seawalls, culverts and turnouts along the Lagoon.  At a roadside ceremony, this initial phase was praised by Supervisor Steve Kinsey, Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Superintendent Maria Brown and Caltrans officials. Chuck Morton, Caltrans' environmental manager for the project, describes the work to KWMR's George Clyde.  More info here.