golden gate national recreation area draft no action alternative for dog management eis may 2006...
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Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Definition of “No Action”From National Park Service
Director’s Order 12
• “No Action” does not mean doing nothing.
• The No Action alternative for a plan is the description of activities that would continue under existing policies and practices. In other words, it is the “No Plan” or “Continuation of Current Management” alternative.
• As are all alternatives, the “No Plan” or “Current Management” scenario is projected into the future over the plan’s lifetime.
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
From National Park Service
Director’s Order 12
• The No Action alternative is both described (current management) and its impacts analyzed in an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
• These are requirements for all federal agencies imposed by the Council on Environmental Quality NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1500 et seq.)
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
No Action Alternative(Forty Most Asked Questions Concerning CEQ’s
NEPA Regulations)
• Impacts of the No Action alternative show how resource conditions would change over the lifetime of a plan or project if current management practices are continued into the future.
• This is important context information in determining the relative magnitude and intensity of the impacts of action alternatives. In NEPA, this analysis is called the “baseline.”
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
From National Park Service Director’s Order 12
• The impacts of the No Action alternative help decision-makers understand comparative impacts between alternatives, as well as the absolute impact of each alternative.
• Accurately and completely describing the impacts
of existing activities is critical to understanding the context, duration and intensity of new impacts, e.g. how impacts would change if an “action” alternative were implemented.
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
• The No Action alternative for the Dog Management Plan/EIS is tough to describe due to the history of dog management at GGNRA, the recent court decisions, and the confusion over the status of dogwalking in GGNRA.
• It is also difficult to project what would continue or change in the future over the planning horizon
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
• The 1979 pet policy is part of the No Action alternative, but what is actually going on right now “on the ground” is also part of current management.
• The No Action alternative is therefore a combination of current enforcement and current conditions.
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Stinson BeachPer 1979 Pet PolicyNo pets
Current Enforcement•No pets on beach•Leashed pets permitted in parking lots and picnic areas
Current Conditions•High visitor use (designated swimming beach); few conflicts•Very low dog use•Low potential for resource damage
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Whitegate Ranch
Per 1979 Pet Policy•Restricted advanced dog training area in area bounded by Panoramic Hwy, State Hwy 1 and Mt. Tam State Park
Current Status•Not currently used for activity specified in 1979 Pet Policy
Current Conditions•Infrequent visitation; no known visitor conflicts with dogs•Restoration work to remove non-native plants and plant native species (1,750 planted so far)
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Muir Woods
Per 1979 Pet Policy•No pets.
Current Enforcement•Same as 1979 pet policy
Current Conditions•Potential for resource damage high – redwood forest ecosystem and T&E species, e.g. spotted owl•High visitation/crowded trails•Very low dog use
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Muir Beach
Per 1979 Pet Policy•Voice control or on leash
Current Enforcement•Voice control or on leash on the beach•On leash in parking/picnic areas
Current Conditions•Some local residents’ dogs run free•Heavy visitation on nice days•Equestrian/hiking trails nearby•Moderate level of visitor conflict•T/E species (fish, frogs) and water quality issues (Big Lagoon, Redwood Creek) •Wetland and dune habitat
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Homestead Valley (4 Corners tract)
Per 1979 Pet Policy•Voice control or on leash
Current Enforcement•Same as 1979 pet policy
Current Conditions•Primarily local use, few conflicts•Unique vegetation and habitat for federally listed Northern Spotted Owl
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Tennessee Valley Per 1979 Pet Policy•No dogs in Tennessee Valley•Pets on leash only on:
Miwok Trail between Tennessee Valley parking area-State Route 1.Coastal Trail between Hill 88-Muir Beach.
Current Enforcement•Same as 1979 pet policy
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Tennessee Valley (cont’d)
Current Conditions•Low levels of use on trails, but dogs are often off-leash (staff estimate about half are off leash)•Thick brush lining the trails, but this does not stop dogs from leaving trials esp. in pursuit of wildlife•Tennessee Valley contains large tracts of relatively undisturbed vegetation and wildlife habitat•Conflict with coyotes •Equestrian trails nearby; Tennessee Valley heavily used by hikers, bicyclists
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Oakwood Valley (including Alta Ave.)
Per 1979 Pet Policy•Pets allowed under voice control on:Oakwood Valley Road to Alta Avenue Alta Avenue between Marin City-Oakwood Valley
Current Enforcement•Same as 1979 pet policy
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Oakwood Valley (including Alta Ave.) (cont’d)
Current Conditions•Confusing regulations in Alta area (unclear as to what sections of Alta were open to voice control by the 1979 Pet Policy etc.)•Alta at Marin City (Donahue St) has high commercial use; many dogs off leash,but visitor conflicts are low•Moderate to high use by dogwalkers•Low to moderate use by runners, bicyclists, hikers•Dogs off leash at knoll east of Oakwood V. trail in federally endangered mission blue butterfly habitat,especially high use in morning•Mission blue butterfly habitat in Alta Ave. area – some now fenced•Coyote conflicts
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Marin Headlands Per 1979 Pet Policy•Voice control on Rodeo Beach• Silent on parking and picnic areas•Silent on Rodeo Lagoon
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Marin Headlands
Per 1979 Pet Policy (cont’d)•Voice control on following trails:
Coastal trail: from Golden Gate Bridge to junction of Wolf Ridge Trail (Hill 88) Loop trail: from (Rodeo Beach) parking area to Coastal trail to paved road near Battery Townsley and return via paved road.Wolf Ridge Trail: between Coastal trail and Miwok Trail.Miwok Trail: between Wolf Ridge Trail and Coastal trail.
Current Enforcement•Voice control on Rodeo Beach •On leash in parking and picnic areas•No pets permitted in Rodeo Lagoon•Trails policy same as 1979 Pet Policy
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Marin Headlands (cont’d)
Current Conditions•Moderate to high levels of dog use on Rodeo Beach; low to moderate levels of dog use on trails•Moderate to high levels of use of trails by hikers•Moderate to high levels of use of beach by other visitors•Visitor conflicts low•Dogs off leash on these trails (historically, during “on-leash period” and now)•Some of these trails are in mission blue butterfly habitat identified through USFWS Section 7 consultation•Steep terrain of loop trail keeps people on trail•Rodeo lagoon has T/E species (Tidewater goby, pelicans)•Dogs along west end of lagoon can flush birds•Water quality concerns
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Fort Baker
Per 1979 Pet Policy•Not included in 1979 Pet Policy
Current Enforcement•Leashed pets permitted in designated areas•Pets not allowed on pier or Chapel Trail
Current Conditions•Dogs often off-leash at parade ground, Battery Yates and behind museum•Mission blue butterfly habitat in area; much of that has been restored
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Alcatraz
Per 1979 Pet Policy•No pets.
Current Enforcement•Same as 1979 pet policy
Current Conditions•No dogs present •Resource damage to nesting birds possible if dogs on island
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Fort Point
Per 1979 Pet Policy•No pets
Current Enforcement•Leashed pets permitted, except inside historic fort •No pets permitted on pier due to safety issues
Current Conditions•Moderate to high visitor use of promenade area by runners, bicyclists, walkers; some dog-related conflicts
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Crissy Field
Per 1979 Pet Policy•Voice control or on leash•On leash in parking/picnic areas
Current Enforcement•Same as 1979 pet policy •GGNRA initiating regulation to close the wildlife protection area to dogs; close restored marsh and dunes to visitors and dogs
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Crissy Field (cont’d)
Current Conditions• High visitor use; high conflict area• High use by bicyclists, walkers, picnickers, windsurfers• Dog fights, bites, harassment• Many commercial dog walkers• Restored dune habitat, fenced with low fence; this works
fairly well to keep dogs out of dunes• Marsh provides important bird habitat• Fencing and boardwalk help keep off leash dogs out of marsh• Dogs run free on beach • Federally threatened snowy plovers have been using Wildlife
Protection Area
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Fort Mason
Per 1979 Pet Policy•On leash only•Pick up pet litter
Current Enforcement•Same as 1979 pet policy
Current Conditions•Many off-leash dogs•High use, but low conflict area; primarily local use •Moderate to high use by bicyclists, runners, walkers on paved trail through Great Meadow
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
West Lobos Creek
Per 1979 Pet Policy•Not included in 1979 Pet Policy
Current Enforcement•No pets on boardwalk
Current Conditions•Low use, low conflict area•Drinking water comes from this creek; riparian area
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Baker BeachPer 1979 Pet Policy•Voice control (north beach area)•No pets (south beach area)•On leash only (picnic/parking area)
Current Enforcement•Same as 1979 pet policy •South beach defined as south of Lobos Creek
Current Conditions•Moderate to heavy use by visitors; low to medium use of area by dogwalkers•Heavy use of north beach by sunbathers •Heavy use of picnic areas•Low to moderate visitor conflicts•Potential for impacts to restored dune habitat
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
China (Phelan) Beach
Per 1979 Pet Policy•No pets.
Current Enforcement•Same as 1979 pet policy
Current Conditions•Formerly designated swimming beach•Low levels of visitor use, primarily local use•Low potential for resource damage
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Lands EndPer 1979 Pet Policy•Voice control.
Current Enforcement•Same as 1979 pet policy
Current Conditions•Low dogwalking use•Moderate use by hikers, bikers•Safety concerns tend to keep dogs on leash•Few visitor conflicts•Natural seeps, coyotes and migratory birds in area•Restoration to remove non-native plants and rework trails ongoing
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Fort Miley
Per 1979 Pet Policy•Voice control•Pick up pet litter
Current Enforcement•Same as 1979 pet policy
Current Conditions•Low dog use•W. Ft. Miley moderate to high picnicking use•Ropes course in W. Ft. Miley•Few conflicts•Low potential for resource damage
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Sutro Heights
Per 1979 Pet Policy•Leashed pets permitted•Pick up pet litter
Current Enforcement•Same as 1979 pet policy
Current Conditions•Low visitor use, low conflict•Some off leash dog use; complaints by neighbors •Nesting birds and raptors•Landscaped area, used for weddings and other events.
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Ocean Beach
Per 1979 Pet Policy•Voice control •On crowded days visitors between Cliff House and stairwell 15 may be asked to leash pets or move south to less crowded areas
Current Enforcement•Same as 1979 pet policy •GGNRA initiating regulation to require dogs on leash in plover area – Sloat Blvd. to Stairwell 21
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Ocean Beach (cont’d)
Current Conditions•Off-leash dogs common•High visitor use, moderate conflict area kept from being worse by large geographic area•Moderate to heavy use by joggers, picnickers, surfers, windsurfers•Snowy plover and other shorebirds. •Plover area between Sloat and Stairwell 21; plover use most intense between July through April
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Fort Funston
Per 1979 Pet Policy•Voice control
Current Enforcement•Same as 1979 pet policy except: no pets in designated habitat/wildlife protection areas
Current Conditions•Unrestricted area has high use, high commercial use and visitor conflict•Dog bites, horse/dog conflicts, dog/human rescues occur•Equestrian use from adjacent stable•Human and pet-caused erosion of cliffs potentially damages state endangered bank swallow nests•Disturbance on beach or cliffs in closed areas
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Milagra Ridge
Per 1979 Pet Policy•Not included in 1979 pet policy
Current Enforcement•Leashed pets permitted on trails only
Current Conditions•Low to moderate visitor use•Some off leash dogwalking; higher levels of on-leash dogwalking•Mission blue butterfly, red-legged frog, San Bruno elfin butterfly habitat; coyote conflicts
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Sweeney Ridge
Per 1979 Pet Policy•Not included in 1979 pet policy
Current Enforcement•Leashed pets permitted
Current Conditions•Moderate visitor use for hiking•Occasional bicycle use •Some off leash dogwalking•Mission blue butterfly, red-legged frog, San Francisco garter snake, coyote, bobcat and mountain lion habitat
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Mori Point
Per 1979 Pet Policy•Not included in 1979 pet policy
Current Enforcement•Leashed pets permitted in designated areas
Current Conditions•Moderate use, primarily by locals•Moderate bicycle use•Dogs often off-leash; waste issues•San Francisco garter snake; red-legged frogs
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Phleger Estate
Per 1979 Pet Policy•Not included in 1979 pet policy
Current Enforcement•No pets
Current Conditions•Steep terrain•Dogs not allowed on San Mateo Co. park trails accessing site•Equestrian use, moderate bicycle use, low to moderate hiking use•Possible steelhead, red-legged frog habitat
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaDRAFT No Action Alternative for Dog Management EIS
May 2006
Data Needs For Dog Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement
Use Information•Frequency of use by park site and use type (with/without dogs)•How many visitors have dogs- weekday, weekend, summer, winter; commercial vs. individual dog walkers•How many visitors with dogs have them off leash •Number of dogs walked per visitor
Impact information•Visitor satisfaction (experience) at each park site •Soil samples and vegetation condition•Estimates of dog waste and relative percent left on ground•Site specific information of impacts caused to birds/wildlife in GGNRA by humans with and without dogs