SAN PABLO BAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE EXPANSION ACT PETITION

Representative John Garamendi (D-CA08) released a discussion draft in September 2023 of the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act. The legislation is expected to be re-introduced in 2025. This proposed legislation would authorize the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to expand the acquisition boundary of the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge by incorporating approximately 6,934 acres across six distinct parcels.


The proposed boundary modification includes:

  • Camp 4: Sonoma Land Trust ownership
  • Camp 5: Sonoma Land Trust ownership
  • Bel Marin Keys Unit V: CA State Coastal Conservancy ownership
  • Hamilton Army Airfield: CA State Coastal Conservancy ownership
  • North Antenna Field: CA State Lands Commission ownership
  • Mare Island Western Early Transfer Parcel: CA State Lands Commission ownership

The targeted parcels are currently owned by three California entities: the State Lands Commission, the State Coastal Conservancy, and the Sonoma Land Trust. All current owners are in support for the proposed legislation. Importantly, the Act establishes a framework for either direct federal acquisition or cooperative management agreements, providing flexibility for parcels that the state may need to retain ownership of, particularly submerged lands under State Lands Commission jurisdiction.


Supporting this legislation would advance critical wetland conservation in the San Francisco Bay Area. The expansion of the San Pablo Bay would increase public access to enjoy nature, wildlife observation, photography, hiking, and other recreational opportunities while protecting vital habitat for endangered species.


Please consider signing onto our support letter, which urges Representatives Garamendi, Huffman, and Thompson to move forward with introducing this important legislation.

Legislative Framework


Expanding the acquisition boundary is a preliminary step that enables the Fish and Wildlife Service to manage these areas, as FWS can only expand a National Wildlife Refuge within a pre-approved acquisition boundary. A critical provision in the Act prohibits the use of eminent domain or condemnation, ensuring that all land transfers must be voluntary and require consent from existing owners and FWS.



The legislation references the Land and Water Conservation Fund as a potential funding source for acquiring the parcels, with Congress expressing that the Secretary should prioritize using such funding for acquisition purposes from willing sellers.

Conservation Significance


The current San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 24,390 acres, primarily consisting of water and wetland habitats spanning Sonoma, Solano, and Napa Counties. The refuge provides essential habitat for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds, while supporting several threatened and endangered species including the California clapper rail, salt marsh harvest mouse, and San Pablo song sparrow.


Historical impacts from hydraulic mining, salt production, water diversions, and agricultural conversion have eliminated approximately 85% of the bay's original tidal marshes. This habitat loss has compromised the ecosystem's ability to manage stormwater and maintain water quality.

Restoration Context


Two of the parcels identified in the proposed Act are currently undergoing or require environmental remediation. The Army Corps of Engineers is leading restoration efforts at Bel Marin Keys Unit 5 and Hamilton Army Airfield in partnership with the California Coastal Commission. These projects include flood protection improvements for nearby communities.



The legislation anticipates a phased approach where parcels would transfer to FWS management only after restoration work is completed. This sequencing leverages the Army Corps' superior funding access and remediation expertise while ultimately placing long-term management under FWS, which has greater capacity for ongoing habitat stewardship.

Broader Conservation Strategy


Beyond this legislation, FWS is simultaneously pursuing administrative expansion of the refuge's acquisition boundary to include additional areas in north San Francisco Bay that demonstrate resilience to sea-level rise. The FWS Director approved a Land Protection Strategy in July 2024, authorizing development of a comprehensive Land Protection Plan with public input.



Both the legislative and administrative approaches support federal and state 30x30 conservation objectives, aiming to protect 30% of lands and waters by 2030.

For more information on how to participate in the public comment process, contact Tuleyome Policy Director Bryan Pride.

RECENT NEWS

Trump Attacks Public Lands, Again

September 11, 2025
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Celebrating 10 Years Wild - Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument

By Sandra Schubert • September 11, 2025
On July 10, 2025, we gathered to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument with the people who worked to establish the Monument in 2015 and add Molok Luyuk to it in 2024. We gathered in Lake County. The event began at the Tallman Hotel with folks gathering, speakers, trivia, food, videos, celebration and music by the Rural Jazz Project. We had folks from throughout the region – the Bay Area to Chico, Ukiah to Sacramento…. We had our partners at the Bureau of Land Management, local government representatives and all aspects of our broad coalition – conservationists, scientists, hunters, hikers, and community members, and more. The presentations and speakers were amazing. Tuleyome put together a reel of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument highlights . I was privileged to emcee the event and welcome our speakers and guests. We were honored to have Tribal leadership. 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Representative Jared Huffman, Ranking Member of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources , also spoke to us about his efforts to defend our public lands. Our state and local representatives also joined us. Rhiannon Philippi delivered remarks for California Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire. California Senator Christopher Cabaldon spoke to us via video and Sergio Emmanuel Ildefonso Zarate on his staff celebrated with us. Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry led a legislative resolution supporting the Monument, which was read by Laura Beltran . Many of our local Supervisors also celebrated with us. Brad Ramussen, Lake County Board of Supervisors , shared his insights. Lucas Frerichs, Yolo County Board of Supervisors , spoke to us and sponsored a Yolo County Board of Supervisor's resolution that was read by Bryan Pride, Tuleyome’s Policy Director . Neal Craig, BLM, Ukiah Field Office Manager , and our partners in protecting this amazing area, joined us and spoke to our collaboration. Interspersed with our speakers, Sara Husby, Tuleyome’s Executive Director when the Monument was established, led us in a series of trivia questions penned by Tuleyome’s own Kristie Ehrhardt. The depth of knowledge of our coalition shone through. And, it was fun. We hope folks enjoyed the prizes. Closing out the event were leaders in the conservation movement. José Gonzalez, founder and emeritus Executive Director of Latino Outdoors , offered his insights on the importance of public lands to all of our communities. Bob Schneider and Andrew Fulks , Tuleyome Co-founders and Tuleyome Advisory Council Members, shared the history of the movement and some stories, bringing us full circle, from the time when the idea of a Monument was a spark in their eyes to the establishment and expansion of the Monument. After the event at the Tallman, many of us headed to Middle Creek Campground, a few miles away for some nighttime fun. There was a nature walk with botany, forest bathing, star gazing, owling, s’mores, camping and laughter. I learned new ways of making s’mores, including a toasted marshmallow with a mini peanut butter cup tucked inside. Delicious! And, as a reminder of how wonderful our coalition is, there was an animal rescue. The morning after the event, many of us went to Judy’s Junction in Upper lake for breakfast. When I arrived with my mom, who had joined us, we saw numerous people under the hood of Jora’s car – Nick, Brendan, Karah, Isobel, Jora and a pair of legs sticking out from under the vehicle that I did not recognize. They were searching for a kitty that had lodged itself in Jora’s engine area. After much hullabaloo, the kitty ran – fast. We all thought – no, not over the highway! But, the little scamp jumped into another newly parked car engine. 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None of this would have been possible without our generous sponsors: CalWild, Conservation Lands Foundation, Defenders of Wildlife, Sierra Club National, Sierra Club Redwood Chapter, Tallman Hotel and Tuleyome. Thank you so much for your continuing support of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and all of our public lands. And thanks to all of you – everyone at the celebration, those who could not join us, and the kitty rescue team. You are what community is. I am honored to be part of ours. -Sandra Schubert Executive Director

Welcome Mary! Tuleyome's Communications Intern!

By Nate Lillge • September 11, 2025
Tuleyome is excited to welcome Mary Lamborn as our Communications Intern. She will working closely with Tuleyome staff to increase Tuleyome's outreach and positive impact on public lands in the northern Inner Coast Range Mountains and western Sacramento Valley. Mary is a recent graduate of UC Davis with a B.S. in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning. As a native of the northern Inner Coast Range, she has deep ties to the region and spent time on the trails and waterways in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. Welcome, Mary!