The National Park Service announced today that the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Dog Management (DEIS) in Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) is now available for public comment. This is the culmination of a nine-year planning process. The entire document including summaries, maps and charts are available on the internet at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/dogplan. The 30-page Executive Summary and six-page summary of the Preferred Alternative is a good overview.
The 90-day public comment period runs from January 14 until April 14, 2011. The DEIS evaluates the impacts of a range of alternatives, including a preferred alternative, for managing dog walking at 21 areas in Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties. This is a key step in establishing a new regulation for dog walking in this unit of the National Park Service (NPS).
“This is truly a defining moment for Golden Gate National Recreation Area," said Superintendent Frank Dean. “After more than 30 years of conflicting uses and general confusion, today we are releasing the draft of a unified plan for dog management in the park. We believe the proposed plan offers clear, consistent, and enforceable management, and most important of all, it balances conservation and recreation."
The preferred alternative was selected as best for achieving the purposes of the plan, which are to:
* provide a clear, enforceable policy to determine the manner and extent of dog use in appropriate areas of the park;
* promote the preservation and protection of natural and cultural resources and natural processes;
* provide a variety of visitor experiences, improve visitor and employee safety, and reduce conflicts;
* maintain park resources and values for future generations.
During the review period, the NPS is seeking substantive public input such as issues or impacts the NPS may have failed to consider, inconsistencies in the plan. Following consideration of those comments, a proposed rule for dog management will be published for public comment. There will be no change in dog walking management in the park until a Final Environmental Impact Statement is completed and a formal rule on dog management is issued. This is anticipated to occur in late 2012.
“We know the passion surrounding dog use at the park," said Superintendent Dean. “We look forward to the thoughtful review and comment by the entire spectrum of park users to assure that our approach to dog management is ultimately wise and appropriate for this national park area," Dean said.
How to comment:
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Dog Management will be available for review and comment for 90 days - January 14 through April 14, 2011.
Comments may be submitted:
Online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/dogplan
By mailing comments to Frank Dean, General Superintendent, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Building 201, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA 94123-0022.
At one of the public open-house meetings in early March- sign language interpreters will be made available if requested at least one week prior to the meeting. To make a request please call the TDD phone at 415-556-2766.
* Wednesday, March 2, 4:00-8:00 p.m.-Tamalpais High School, 700 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley
* Saturday, March 5, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.-San Francisco State University, Seven Hills Conference Center, State Drive, San Francisco
* Monday, March 7, 4:00-8:00 p.m.-Ft. Mason Center, Bldg. A, San Francisco
* Wednesday, March 9, 4:00-8:00 p.m.-Cabrillo School, 601 Crespi Drive, Pacifica
Reference copies of the document are available at the following Bay Area libraries:
San Francisco Public Libraries: Main Library; Sunset Branch; Noe Valley/Sally Brunn Branch; Richmond/Senator Milton Marks Branch; Mission Branch; Potrero Branch; Chinatown Branch
Marin County Free Libraries: Civic Center Branch; Fairfax Branch; Corte Madera Branch; and Sausalito Public Library
San Mateo County Libraries: Pacifica Sharp Park Library; Daly City Public Library-Westlake Branch
East Bay Libraries: Oakland Main Library; Berkeley Central Library
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
