GGNRA 2019 Compendium – At a Glance
New Dog Walking Restrictions Proposed for San Francisco and San Mateo Counties
Major Access Change to On-Leash Dog Walking
at Rancho Corral de Tierra, San Mateo County
On-leash dog walking access being reduced from entire 3,800-acre site to limited trails as per Compendium Exhibit 39 map.
(Note: In 2013, Superintendent Frank Dean made all of Rancho Corral de Tierra open to on-leash dog walking as an agreement with Congresswoman Speier. Current access is clearly spelled out in the Dog Management Plan FEIS.)
No mention of this major access change in the 2019 Compendium text or in its Table of Changes. Only way to know is from looking at the Exhibit 39 map and reading the fine print. No written justification is given for this change.
Major Access Change to On-Leash Dog Walking
at Milagra Ridge, San Mateo County
Two on-leash dog walking trails in the 2017 Compendium are now listed as no-dogs per the 2019 Compendium Exhibit 37 map. Also, previous dog walking access through Water District land (managed by GGNRA) from parking lot to main trails is closed to dog walking according to the Exhibit 37 map, thereby cutting off access for dog owners from the south entrance to the entire Milagra Ridge trail system.
No mention of these major access changes in Compendium text or in Table of Changes. Only way to know is from looking at Exhibit 37 map. No written justification is given for this change.
Major Access Change to On-Leash Dog Walking
at Mori Point, San Mateo County
Two on-leash dog walking trails in the 2017 Compendium are now listed as no dogs per the 2019 Compendium’s Exhibit 38 map. This includes loss of access to the Mori Bluff oceanfront trail.
No mention of this major access change in the 2019 Compendium text or in its Table of Changes. Only way to know is from looking at the Exhibit 38 map. No written justification is given for this change.
Access Change at Fort Funston – establishing
precedent to close areas in future
Closes two areas to dogs that were not closed in the 2017 Compendium. Also establishes precedent that GGNRA can close areas to dog walking by simply posting signs that say “Sensitive Restoration Areas,” allowing GGNRA to, over time, close entire area at Fort Funston or elsewhere to dog walking.
While the change is in the Compendium text and the Table of Changes, the precedent is not mentioned in either. Federal lawsuit established public process required for changes.
Access Restriction
at Ocean Beach
Requirement that dogs be leashed in the stairwells at Ocean Beach is added per the 2019 Compendium Exhibit 31 map. It was not in the 2017 Compendium but was part of the now-withdrawn Dog Management Plan.
No mention of this access change in Compendium text or in Table of Changes. Only way to know is from looking at Exhibit 31 map. No written justification is given for change.
Changes in Definitions of Voice Control,
Unmanaged Dogs, and Managed Dogs
Unnecessary changes in definitions that will give Park Rangers more tools to harass dog walkers. Adds to definitions that behavior that a “reasonable person” would object to is grounds for declaring a dog unmanaged. Adds that a dog without “immediate recall” is considered “running at large” and can be impounded.
These changes implement definitions and restrictions from the withdrawn Dog Management Plan. There is no mention of these changes in the 2019 Compendium’s Table of Changes. There is no written justification given for the changes in the Compendium.
Explicit Ban on Commercial Dog Walking
at San Mateo County GGNRA Sites
The 2017 Compendium did not include language about commercial dog walking at San Mateo County GGNRA sites. The 2019 Compendium says: “Commercial Dog Walking is prohibited at Park sites in San Mateo County.”
Professional dog walkers have the opportunity to get permits to walk at San Francisco and Marin County GGNRA sites.GGNRA has not provided professional dog walkers with the option to get a permit to walk at San Mateo County GGNRA sites, a hardship on professional dog walkers in San Mateo County.GGNRA has made this decision without adequate public input.