Dear Friend,
Last week the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department issued a report that was supposed to explore alternatives for restoring endangered species habitat at Sharp Park in Pacifica, home to the San Francisco garter snake and red-legged frog. Instead, the Park Department is ignoring science and promoting an all-golf alternative for Sharp Park -- even though the no-golf option was shown to be best for the environment, the city's budget, and outdoor recreation.
The most ecologically literate option would close the controversial golf course, increase recreational opportunities, allow for the greatest extent of habitat restoration for endangered species, and ensure that this unique coastal wetlands ecosystem and its wildlife can survive in the face of climate change and sea level rise.
But the Park Department is trying to spin the report's conclusions to promote the 18-hole golf alternative, which minimizes habitat restoration and relegates it to the margins of existing wetlands. They are running out of credible arguments for why the money-losing golf course should be retained and why only minimal habitat can be restored.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors will soon be voting on which alternative to choose for the future of Sharp Park. Send an email to decision-makers today telling them it's time for them to be true environmental stewards by fully restoring Sharp Park and adding it to the adjacent Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Then, call Congresswoman Jackie Speier, who is inexplicably trying to kill the restoration option and give a federal bailout to the golf course, at (650) 342-0300. And finally, please come to the Recreation and Parks Commission hearing this Thursday, November 19 at 2 p.m. at San Francisco City Hall Room 416 and speak in favor of full restoration.
If you have trouble following the link, go to http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2167/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1720.
Sample letter:
Subject: Support Full Restoration of Sharp Park
San Francisco just released its report regarding the restoration of Sharp Park in Pacifica. I am writing to support full restoration of wetlands and uplands habitat for the San Francisco garter snake and expanded recreational opportunities for everyone. I urge you to adopt the no-golf alternative and add Sharp Park to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
While the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department is arguing that the golf course should be retained and only minimal habitat restored, full restoration will ensure the future survival of two extremely endangered species and will allow the area to become a true park for everyone, not just golfers, to enjoy. The no-golf alternative makes the most sense from an ecological perspective and considering future sea-level rise at the site from climate change.
The report acknowledges that imperiled San Francisco garter snakes and California red-legged frogs are faring very poorly under current management at Sharp Park. The no-golf alternative restores the greatest amount of upland habitat for these species, the limiting factor preventing their recovery on the site. Sharp Park is the most promising site in the world for restoration of San Francisco's namesake endangered species.
The no-golf alternative will provide recreational and educational opportunities for everyone while restoring the ecology of the Laguna Salada wetlands and surrounding habitat for the long-term survival of native wildlife. Despite the report's inflated estimates, restoration will save the city money over the maintenance and infrastructure required for the golf course. Please support a full-restoration alternative and make Sharp Park a showcase for protecting urban wildlife while providing educational and recreational opportunities.
Please take action by December 31, 2009.
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Photo: California red-legged frog.
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