The Environmental Impact Report for restoration of Albany Beach is being challenged by a group that says the EIR fails to consider the impact of off-leash dogs and windsurfers, according to an article in the Oakland Tribune.
A group called Sustainability, Parks, Recycling and Wildlife Defense Fund (SPRAWLDEF) has filed a lawsuit against the East Bay Regional Park District, which manages the state-owned beach property, the Tribune reported today.
The group says that allowing dogs to run off-leash has negative impacts on both wildlife and human park users.
SPRAWLDEF also contends that a proposed parking lot would improve access for boaters and windsurfers, who could potentially damage an area of eel grass, an endangered species.
You may read the complete Tribune article here.
"After Mr. [Norman] LaForce and Mr. [David] Tam conceived the need for advocacy, SPRAWLDEF was incorporated in 2004 with Steve Lautze joining them as one of the three founding members of SPRAWLDEF.
It seems calculated to alienate everyone. By siding with Golden Gate Fields in opposition to completing the missing link in the Bay Trail, SPRAWLDEF positions itself against hikers and bicyclists. If successful, the suit will block a project that provides ADA access to the shoreline, improved access for kayaks and kiteboards, expansion and protection of the dune habitat, and better parking for everyone. But the big issue is dog play on the sand and in the water. SPRAWLDEF's main objection appears to be that the Park District wisely opts not to impose draconian measures to shut down the most popular use of the Districts most densely-used park.
Who speaks for them in this attempt to force one-sided change?
My comment appears to be "pending approval," which seems strange. Let's pick up the conversation over on Berkeleyside if we no longer have access to an open discussion here on the Patch.