Pinnacles National Monument has been chosen as a possible release site for the reintroduction of the endangered California Condor.

The article reproduced below announces the completion of an environmental assessment document for the release of California Condors back to Pinnacles National Monument.

How This Affects Climbers

While Friends Of Pinnacles fully supports the re-introduction on condors to the Pinnacles, climbers will be asked to make voluntary sacrafices in order to make the program possible. Due to their nesting habits, additional closures will be necessary to accomodate the condor reintroduction. From our understanding, some specific areas will be closed for a longer period of time every other year.

If you climb regularly at the Park you will want to at least read the assessment and send your comments to the park. You may also want to attend the public meeting:

Condor Environmental Assessment Meeting

Hollister City Council Chambers, 375 Fifth St.

7:00 PM - Wed, June 19th, 2002

For immediate release from Pinnacles National Monument

After months of planning, the Environmental Assessment of the Reestablishment of California Condors in the Pinnacles National Monument is available for public comment. This document discusses how a condor release program would be implemented in the Monument and what effects to the environment and visitor use of Pinnacles would be expected. The Monument's preferred alternative is to conduct an active condor release program to further the recovery of the species and return it to the Monument. California condors once nested in Pinnacles and were seen in the Monument through the early 1980's. If an active release program were conducted in Pinnacles, it would be a collaborative and cooperative venture between the National Park Service, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and Ventana Wilderness Society, a non-profit organization. "The possibility of Pinnacles being an integral part of the condor's recovery is very exciting," said Superintendent Cicely Muldoon.

Those interested in receiving a copy of the Environmental Assessment may download it from the monument's Web site (http://www.nps.gov/pinn/resource/eacondor.htm) or request a printed copy. Please send a postcard with your address or call (831) 389-4485 ext.0 to have one mailed to you. Additionally, copies will be available at the Monument's visitor centers and at the libraries in King City and Hollister.

The community is encouraged to attend a public meeting on Wednesday, June 19, 2002, starting at 7:00 pm, at the Hollister City Council Chambers, 375 Fifth Street or send comments to Pinnacles National Monument, 5000 Hwy 146, Paicines, CA 95043 or via email (amy_fesnock@nps.gov). The comment period closes July 3, 2002.

For more information please e-mail Amy Fesnock, Wildlife Biologist, or call at (831) 389-4485 ext 223.