-Woolsey’s involvement leads to signed agreement, lays foundation for transfer-

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey today celebrated an agreement between the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to begin the transfer of the decommissioned Skaggs Island Naval Station to a nearby wildlife sanctuary.  Woolsey and her staff have been actively engaged in negotiations over the site for years, and last fall passed legislation through the Congress to facilitate the transfer process.

“This announcement, that an agreement to return Skaggs Island back to its natural beauty has been reached, is fantastic news,” said Woolsey.  “The transformation of this site will provide habitat for over 20 state and federal threatened and endangered species, making it the crown jewel of North Bay wetlands restoration efforts."

Under the signed memorandum of understanding, the Navy will accept $8 million in existing state funds to finance the removal of more than 100 structures on the sixty acre site, and the cleanup of unknown levels of soil contaminants.  Once this process is complete, the Navy will have 60 days to transfer the property to the Fish and Wildlife Service, which has promised to include it in the existing San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge.  Woolsey, who has spearheaded negotiations in recent years, was quick to praise all sides.

“I want to thank all of the officials from the Navy, Fish and Wildlife, the Bay Conservation and Development Commission, and the California Department of Transportation who have worked tirelessly to see this process through,” said Woolsey.  “Every one of them should be applauded for their professionalism, hard work, and dedication.  I would particularly like to thank Tom Roth from my staff for his steadfast leadership on this effort.  Without his knowledge and patience we would not be here today.”

The transfer enjoys widespread community support, including:  Sonoma, Marin, Napa and Solano Counties, the San Francisco Bay Joint Venture (a coalition of public agencies, sportsman and conservation groups) Save San Francisco Bay, the California Coastal Conservancy, and 7 Members of Congress from the Bay Area.