I am writing to request that you strengthen the leash law regulation proposed
for Ocean Beach and Crissy Field in order to adequately protect the western
snowy plover, people, our pets, the Golden Gate's other wildlife, and the park
itself.
The proposed rule contains too many loopholes to be effective and enforceable.
First, the rule is ambiguously worded. It states it will only be in place from
"July 1 until monitoring by the park determines that [the plover] is no longer
present." Although plovers tend to leave the park for a few weeks during the
summer, leaving this loophole open will make it difficult for the public to
comply with the rule and also make it difficult for park personnel to enforce.
Moreover, by permitting off-leash dogs in the plover's habitat during any
portion of the year, the park will reduce compliance with the rule when the
plover is present, as many people will not realize that the closure is seasonal.
The rule must be expanded to apply year-round.
The proposed rule is also inadequate because it does not include the entire
portion of Crissy Field and Ocean Beach. It draws imaginary boundaries that do
not comport with typical visitor's understanding of the Golden Gate, and
therefore the typical visitor will not know if he or she is entering an area
where plovers are safe from off-leash dogs. This again will invite violations of
the rule, as people claim ignorance or confusion over the exact boundary. The
rule should apply to all of Ocean Beach and Crissy Field.
Off-leash dogs should not be permitted in the Golden Gate absent safeguards such
as enclosures that will keep people, our pets, wildlife, and the park safe to
all visitors, including the plover. As this species recovers from the oil spill,
please ensure that additional disturbance is minimized by strengthening the
leash law at the Golden Gate, not by creating loopholes, as the current proposal
seems to do.
Sincerely,
Tristan Loper
Comment on FR Doc # E7-22654
This is comment on Proposed Rule
Special Regulations; Areas of the National Park System
View Comment
Related Comments
View AllPublic Submission Posted: 11/20/2007 ID: NPS-2007-0168-0002
Jan 22,2008 11:59 PM ET
Public Submission Posted: 11/23/2007 ID: NPS-2007-0168-0008
Jan 22,2008 11:59 PM ET
Public Submission Posted: 11/26/2007 ID: NPS-2007-0168-0010
Jan 22,2008 11:59 PM ET
Public Submission Posted: 11/26/2007 ID: NPS-2007-0168-0011
Jan 22,2008 11:59 PM ET
Public Submission Posted: 11/26/2007 ID: NPS-2007-0168-0012
Jan 22,2008 11:59 PM ET