Dear GGNRA Planning Team:
Surfrider Foundation, Marin County thanks you for the opportunity to comment upon the General Management Plan for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). Representatives of our organization attended your Open House in Sausalito, have reviewed the alternatives outlined in the Spring 2008 Newsletter, and have drafted the following comments for your consideration.
The three hundred members of Surfrider Foundation, Marin County support and promote the protection of and public access to the coastal environment and beaches of Marin County’s precious coastline. GGNRA shares these objectives also. Of particular interest to our members and to the surf community are the natural first-rate surf breaks at Rodeo Beach, Muir Beach and Stinson Beach. We thank GGNRA for the great work it is doing to preserve these beaches, provide easy public access, ample free parking and well-maintained public restrooms.
Surfrider Foundation, Marin County appreciates the effort to develop a long-range plan to protect our beautiful, sensitive environment. We urge you to expand the plan’s scope to include coordination with other regional planning entities, such as County of Marin, the Army Corps of Engineers and the State of California, to develop a consistent approach for the coastal environment. Given climate change, rising sea levels, persistent cliff erosion and deteriorating roads, coordination across all government agencies is vital to the health of our coastline.
Regarding the three Management Concepts, Surfrider Foundation, Marin County, whole heartedly supports Concept #1: Connecting People with the Parks, “Park management would focus on ways to attract and welcome people, connect people with the resources, and promote understanding, enjoyment, preservation and health.” This concept emphasizes park’s management commitment to the founding idea of “parks to the people.” We realize that the final General Management Plan will contain elements from all three management concepts; however, whenever there are conflicts among the alternatives, we urge you to give primary consideration to Concept #1: Connecting People with the Parks.
The following are our comments regarding the alternatives for the Management Zones of interest to our members.
Marin County, Stinson Beach to Bolinas-Fairfax Road.
We support Alternative 1, which improves existing facilities, replaces existing restrooms and showers, protects and restores the coastal ecosystems and contributes to the restoration of natural processes that affect the Bolinas Lagoon.
In Alternative 2, we are strongly opposed to the elimination of the south parking lot to support wetland restoration. On summer weekends and during very warm days, visitors to Stinson Beach fill all the existing parking lots. Having this large parking capacity greatly contributes to the economic well being to the town of Stinson Beach.
Under Alternative 2, we oppose the suggestion that park management encourage the abandonment of Highway 1 between Muir Beach and Stinson Beach in the event of a catastrophic landslide.
Under Alternative 3, we support restoring the natural ecosystem of Easkoot Creek riparian and the preservation of the coastal defense structures east of Highway 1.
Marin County, Slide Ranch
Surfrider Foundation, Marin County supports Alternative #1 for Slide Ranch, which is a continuation of an environmental and farm education center managed by a park partner. This partner in good faith has successfully managed this area since before the GGNRA was created. We strongly oppose the Alternative #2 proposal to forcibly remove the center and farm education program to a more geologically stable site.
Marin County, Golden Gate Dairy (Muir Beach)
Surfrider Foundation, Marin County supports Alternative #1, which maintains existing historic structures, supports the Muir Beach Volunteer Fire Department, moves equestrian use to Lower Redwood Creek, improves trailhead and public transit stop and enhances the creek corridor.
We oppose that portion of Alternative #2 that calls for the removal of non-historic residences and restricts equestrian use to designated trails only.
Marin Headlands: Fort Berry and Fort Cronkhite
Surfrider Foundation, Marin County supports Alternative #1, which among several proposals maintains and improves the recreational experiences including surfing, swimming, hiking, bicycle and horseback riding.
We agree with Alternative #3, which improves the historic preservation of military history and structures.
Offshore Marine Environment
Surfrider Foundation, Marin County congratulates GGNRA for its managing of the 1000-foot-wide fringe of coastal waters immediately offshore and supports Alternative #1 which coordinates policies with the Monterey Bay and Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuaries. We especially support the policy of no motorized boating including no jet-skies.
We oppose the portions of Alternatives #2 and #3, which would permit motorized boating. Would this include jet-skies? In our opinion, it is impossible to preserve the sensitive marine environment and allow recreational motorized boating.
Again we thank you for the opportunity to comment on the General Management Plan and your consideration of our suggestions.
Sincerely,
Surfrider Foundation, Marin County
No comments:
Post a Comment