Pet Pages
GGNRA's newest off-leash proposal is no walk in the park
Photo: Valerita/Flickr.com
The public has until April 14, 2011 to comment on the findings and proposals in the report. Needless to say, dog-walking advocates are mounting a determined response.
The GGNRA is currently operating under a 1979 Pet Policy that allows dogs to be off leash while under voice control in a small part of the GGNRA and on leash in others. In 2000, a section of Fort Funston was closed to dog walkers and a lawsuit was brought against the GGNRA for not following regulations in changing public-use policy. Further closures and access restrictions resulted in a 2005 district court decision that the 1979 Pet Policy could not be negated without using negotiated rulemaking procedures. The environmental impact review just released is a central part of that process.
The DEIS evaluates the impact of five GGNRA-determined alternatives for dog management in 21 areas of the national recreation area. Alternative A is the “No action; 1979 Pet Policy” alternative. While the GGNRA has chosen a preferred alternative for each area, Alternative A is never selected.
Understanding the Draft EIS
The DEIS is a compendium of 54 documents that must be downloaded separately at www.parkplanning.nps.gov/dogplan.
Reading and analyzing the approximately 2,400 pages is a daunting process, even for those who have been heavily involved in the debate, and it will prevent many from accessing the full document.
The best place to start is with the Executive Summary, which gives a history of the process and compares the five alternatives side by side, highlighting the preferred alternative for each park.
A meeting to help people understand the process, the documents, and the proposed changes will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 8 from 6:30–8:30 p.m. at the SF/SPCA Training Annex, 243 Alabama Street. Speakers will include Dr. Jennifer Scarlett, DVM of the SF/SPCA; John Bock, senior environmental scientist at Tetra Tech; and Gary Fergus of the Crissy Field Dog Group. Free parking will be available at the SF/SPCA lot at Alabama and Treat.
Dog-walking advocates stress the importance of making your voice heard. However, you may only comment on the DEIS in one of three ways:
• Submit comments online via the “Comment on Document” link on the project website: www.parkplanning.nps.gov/dogplan
• Mail comments to Frank Dean, General Superintendent, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Building 201, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA 94123-0022
• Deliver your comments at a GGNRA open house meeting
Comments will not be accepted by phone, fax or e-mail, and bulk comments collected and submitted on behalf of a group will not be accepted.
GGNRA’s Open House Meetings
Another issue arises over the format selected by the GGNRA for public comment. Four open houses have been planned in March rather than a formal hearing. To the GGNRA’s benefit, these workshops will eliminate the chance of there being a 1,500-strong turnout at any one location, as happened in 2001.
While large public hearings can be unruly, they do provide the chance to hear important insights and they require attendees to hear opinions from both sides of the issue, which is important for any intelligent public debate. They also get the attention and presence of local legislative leaders.
If you are concerned that the planned open house format will dilute the comment process, contact the National Park Service and request that they have formal public hearings with recorded public testimony.
The four open house meetings are scheduled for:
• Wednesday, March 2, 4–8 p.m.: Tamalpais High School (Ruby Scott Gym), 700 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley
• Saturday, March 5, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.: San Francisco State University (Seven Hills Conference Center), State Drive, San Francisco
• Wednesday, March 9, 4–8 p.m.: Cabrillo School, 601 Crespi Drive, Pacifica
• Monday, March 7, 4–8 p.m.: Fort Mason Center, Building A, Marina Boulevard at Buchanan, San Francisco
Stay tuned for further analysis of the DEIS next month.
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