CFDG working to keep 1979 Pet Policy in the GGNRA’s 2020 Compendium

CFDG continues to work to retain off leash (voice control) dog walking access at places like Crissy Field, Baker Beach, Fort Funston, Ocean Beach and other areas on GGNRA lands in Marin and San Mateo counties.

Most recently, CFDG, with the help of our legal advisors, our Congressional delegation, and other dog groups, worked to retain the GGNRA’s 1979 Pet Policy in the GGNRA’s 2020 Compendium.

In short, the public was blindsided by the GGNRA in August 2019, when the GGNRA released their 2019 Compendium, which greatly reduced the areas where the public could go off leash dog walking without the proper notice and comment required by the GGNRA.

CFDG went into immediate action mode, wherein CFDG, Congresswoman Jackie Speier (and one of her staff), and a representative from Congresswoman Pelosi’s office and other local dog groups met with GGNRA upper management at Congresswoman Jackie Speier’s office.  It was very clear from this meeting that the GGNRA was on the defensive and basically disregarded all of our valid concerns.

CFDG, with the help of our legal advisors from Venable, LLP., and K and L Gates, worked hard behind the scenes to bring back the basic law of the land for dog walking in the GGNRA (1979 Pet Policy).  There are still some outstanding issues such as CFDG’s on-going request (for over 15 years) for the GGNRA to install signage (physical and digital) throughout the GGNRA, and remove the definition of voice control in the GGNRA’s 2020 Compendium.  It took the GGNRA 11 months to make these simple changes in their 2020 Compendium.

Another issue of concern is the upcoming release of the environmental review documents for the Crissy Field Next Project.  The GGNRA wants to change the land use at Crissy Field (along with the Golden Gate Parks Conservancy) and from some of the draft proposals we have seen at two workshops, we are deeply concerned about the GGNRA’s justification for making such radical and unnecessary changes to Crissy Field.

It is our understanding that the GGNRA will release these environmental documents in early 2021.  We all need to keep vigilant about this proposed land use change.  Stay involved!