Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey this week personally called The Light to contradict statements from Congressman Jim Hansen's office; she insisted the National Parks Subcommittee will hear the Point Reyes Farmland Protection Bill Oct. 30.

Hansen chairs the subcommittee, and his legislative aide Dan Smith again last week said the panel was too busy to give the bill a hearing this year.

"There is going to be a hearing Oct. 30," Woolsey emphatically told The Light. "Mr. Hansen...is aware of the confusion. He's assured me nothing has changed. The hearing is on."

How does she account for the confusion over whether a hearing will be held? "None of the confusion came from my office," Woolsey replied sharply.

Woolsey's staff meanwhile corrected a statement in last week's Light that the bill will also need confirmation by the Subcommittee on Forestry, Resource Conservation and Research before going to a vote by the full House of Representatives.

Her staff said that in its revised form, the bill does not need to go through the Forestry Subcommittee.

Woolsey said that those from West Marin scheduled to testify before the National Parks Subcommittee include Supervisor Steve Kinsey; Bob Berner, executive director of Marin Agricultural Land Trust; Sharon Doughty, a Point Reyes Station rancher; and a representative of the Park Service.