Comment on FR Doc # 2012-00521

I have observed the plovers in the Santa Monica Beach unit for several years. The birds suffer harassment by 1) lifeguards in speeding vehicles, 2) Santa Monica police in speeding vehicles, 3) beachgoers (generally inadvertently but particularly by joggers and walkers while foraging in the surf zone), and 4) by dogs on and off leash. While dogs are theoretically prohibited, there is no enforcement by lifeguards or the police, even when the problem is called to their attention. The lifeguards and police must be educated on the need to protect the species from dogs and in the need to drive their vehicles slowly and cautiously in this unit (which is also a safety factor for people).