Draft energy bill would extend oyster lease

For the second time in four years, lawmakers are attempting to do what years of lobbying, scientific wrangling and legal arguments could not: compel the Obama administration to extend the lease of Drake’s Bay Oyster Company.

Congressional Republicans are proposing a draft bill that would force the administration to issue a new, 10-year permit to Drake’s Bay and delay the conversion of Drakes Estero’s “potential wilderness” status to “full wilderness.” Among other controversial provisions, the…