News Blog

News Blog

Senator Boxer and Congressman Farr Visit Newly Designated Fort Ord National Monument

There were big smiles and back pats this morning between Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) as they took a tour on the paths that snake throughout the newly designated Fort Ord National Monument.

In April, President Obama issued an executive order to designate 15,000 acres of the Fort Ord land as a national monument as a result of pressure from California delegation including; Senator Diane Feinstein and Congressman Farr and myself, says Senator Boxer in press conference. “We really appreciate the Obama Administration's efforts,” she adds.

Local government officials attended the press conference, including Mayor Jason Burnett of Carmel, Mayor Felix Bachofner of Seaside, Mayor David Pendergrass of Sand City, Supervisor Dave Potter. Other attendees included representatives from nonprofit organizations, veteran groups and public agencies, such as the Bureau of Land Management

Pulling off a project like this takes a tremendous amount of organization and support, continues Senator Boxer. We had huge support from veteran organization, including Veteran of Foreign Wars Post No. 5888 and Vet Voice Foundation and conservation organizations, such as Sierra Club and Conservation Lands Foundation.

Congressman Farr has been advocating for the preservation of Fort Ord land since the military post was closed in 1994, he says. “This has been my visions for 20 years” says Congressman Farr, in an interview. “It’s kind of like buying an empty lot and having it turn into your dream park,” he adds.

Senator Boxer commented that Congressman Farr is a great person to work with in Congress. “When Sam [Farr] calls me, I say what do you need? And lets go for it! Our next project is the Pinnacles.”

Congressman Farr's bill to make the Pinnacles National Monument into a national park has been held up in the Senate by an anonymous senator, says Senator Boxer. "We will change the Senators mind, even if it means we have to drag them out here," she says.