February 18, 2014 -
Marin Conservation League has submitted comments on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the GGNRA Dog Management Plan.

Background: The National Park Service has released a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Draft Dog Management Plan that outlines new proposed rules for on- and off-leash dog-walking in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, including eight areas in Marin County.

Major changes in Marin included prohibition of dogs entirely on interior trails in the Headlands and South Rodeo Beach, and leashes required throughout Homestead Valley and Headlands trails. Currently, dogs can be off-leash throughout Homestead Valley and some Headlands trails. Rodeo Beach would be the only place in Marin's GGNRA lands where dogs could be off-leash.

The draft plan/SEIS follows a previous draft plan/EIS, released in January 2011 that generated 4700 comment letters. This draft plan/SEIS responds to the substantive public comments on the draft plan/EIS and includes analysis of dog management for Rancho Corral de Tierra, a site in San Mateo County that was added to the park in December 2011, after the development and release of the draft Plan/EIS. The public comment period closed February 18, 2014.

In May 2014, GGNRA Superintendent Frank Dean, in coordination with the Presidio Trust, signed into effect an interim permit requirement for commercial dog walkers on lands administered by the National Park Service in Marin and San Francisco counties. This interim permit requirement will remain in effect until a final special regulation addressing dog walking and commercial dog walking in GGNRA is completed, in late 2015.

Permit holders will be able to use any GGNRA and Presidio Trust (Trust) lands where dog walking is allowed.  On GGNRA Marin and San Francisco lands, permit holders will continue to be able to walk dogs off leash and under voice control in areas currently open to voice control per the 1979 Pet Policy.     

The annual permit cost will consist of a $75 application fee, and a $300 fee per individual dog walker, for a non-transferable badge.

You can receive regular updates by visiting the GGNRA Dog Plan Site, or at (415) 561-4728.

Documents and Correspondence

February 18, 2014, Letter to GGNRA regarding Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Dog Management Plan
May 26, 2011 Letter to GGNRA regarding Dog Management Plan