I would have to say I do not have an educated opinion on this particular matter. I read this article twice, and did not feel the National Parks Service made a strong case, according to this one article. Who knows what gets left out of any article though without some experience in the field.

If I was a lawyer, and I'm not, I could make a case for both I think.

On the one hand, the basic principle of the NPS is to preserve and protect land in it's pristine state, as much as possible.

On the other hand, I could argue that harvesting or even farming, is part of the natural process and has existed so for thousands of years.

Is farming truly part of a wild place though, or a process of civilization?

If the owner of the farm was Native American would he be told he could no longer farm oysters?

I could go both ways on this one, in any event, I hope supporters of the NPS are not eating any oysters.

The NPS encompasses not only wilderness, but historical and other areas. Pt Reyes, where the oyster operation is located, includes some historical and still operating facilities, such as the light house. Of course, the light house is not commercial. At the same time, something not apparent to people in other parts of the country is that there is a lot more to the controversy. The oyster population in Drakes Bay is threatened by a couple of invasive species, one being an oyster from elsewhere, the other being a kind of snail that feeds on the native oysters by drilling holes in their shells.So the question may be moot in a few years anyway.

I believe (as a non-lawyer) that there is no obligation of an owner to renew a lease, depending on the exact wording of the lease. It doesn't necessarily have anything to do with wilderness, especially since Drakes Bay is not a designated wilderness area and never will be unless a couple small towns on the shores get removed, unlikely to happen. Motorized boats use the bay all the time. Pt Reyes itself is no wilderness, since all the campgrounds have permanently installed picnic tables (installed with concrete). Fantastically beautiful area, but not a wilderness.

Thanks for the enlightenment Bill,

Certainly the owner does not have to not renew a lease, unless bound by a lawful agreement to do so, I would agree

I think since they (NPS) offer a reason for their decision to not renew, their reasoning is going to be debated, even if in vain.

This story caught my eye because my brother in law and a couple friends are fishermen. They use 24' skiffs to harvest clams, blue crab, & oysters, just depending on the season. I have helped a couple times and this is very hard work, it does not pay as much as you would think either. Being exposed to the work end of things has given me more appreciation for how the food makes it to my plate.