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Dog PAC, SB |
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These are all questions that remain unanswered, but there is an important report just released that will be crucial in their resolution.
The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) has now been prepared by the City of Santa Barbara. An objective of the DEIR was to address the need for off-leash dog recreation areas by studying 3 locations in Santa Barbara, in order to determine their suitability for off-leash recreation. The Douglas Family Preserve (DFP), Hale Park, and the Shoreline Beach Area (SBA) extending from the Shoreline Park staircase to the western city boundary are all considered as part of the DEIR in terms of any potential environmental impacts that might occur from off-leash dog recreation.
The DEIR draws a number of conclusions as to the environmental impact of off-leash dogs at these areas and offers specific recommendations to mitigate these concerns. Although Dog PAC supports the majority of these mitigation measures, some appear to be unwarranted and fail to consider important factors. For example, among the recommendations in the report: (a) the establishment of a fenced area for off-leash dogs at the DFP (encompassing 3-5 of the DFP's 70 acres), (b) a fully-fenced area for off-leash dogs at Hale Park, (c) prohibition of off-leash dogs at the SBA area either entirely or for major portions of the year (leaving no beach areas for legal off-leash recreation).
In addition, if dogs are allowed off-leash at these or other areas, there are a number of proposed limits, such as allowing dogs off-leash only on certain days of the week or month, or only for certain hours each day.
These recommendations may or may not ultimately be adopted -- depending on your comments. From here, the DEIR is reviewed by the Planning Commission which then makes a recommendation to City Council. City Council will then determine what, if any, policy and legal changes will result and what, if any, areas in Santa Barbara will be legal for off-leash dog recreation. Please watch Dog PAC's website (www.dogpacsb.org) for information on the date of this City Council meeting (most likely in the early fall) and/or update your email address with us (by sending an e-mail to us at dogpacsb@yahoo.com) so we can notify you quickly (and cheaply!) when this meeting occurs.
In the meantime, we need your help now -- please provide your written comments about these proposed policies to the Planning Commission (written comments must be received before April 14). Comments should be sent to:
City of Santa Barbara Planning Division
Attention: Michael Berman
PO Box 1990, Santa Barbara, CA 93102-1990
More information on the DEIR can be found directly at: http://www.ci.santa-barbara.ca.us/ (under link to Douglas Family Preserve) or through Dog PAC's website, at: http://dogpacsb.org.
Thank you for your continued support of responsible dog ownership in Santa Barbara!
While the City of Santa Barbara continues to mull over the possibility of off-leash recreation areas for dogs, the County has moved swiftly forward with a concrete plan to provide citizens with legal, off-leash recreational spaces.
The pilot program, championed by deputy director of South County Parks Rick Wheeler, would open up areas in a number of County parks for off-leash recreation, with some day/time restrictions. According to Wheeler, "These are public parks for all park users, and that includes dog owners. The value is that we give the public an opportunity to recreate legally." The proposal will be considered by the Board of Supervisors this spring (though it is not yet on their official agenda) and, if approved, would result in legal, off-leash recreation in the following areas:
Manning Park annex, M-F, 5 p.m.-close
Toro Canyon Park meadow, Daily, 8-10 a.m. & 5 p.m. close
Oceanview Park meadow, Daily, 8-10 a.m. & 5 p.m.-close
Lookout Park, One day per week/month, TBD, TBD
Tucker's Grove at Kiwanis Meadows, M-F, 8-10 a.m. & 5 p.m.-close
Tabano Hollow, Daily, 5 p.m.-close
Patterson Open Space, M-F, 8-10 a.m.
Isla Vista Park, M-F, 8-10 a.m. & 5 p.m.-close
We fully support this pilot program and thank Mr. Wheeler, and other County representatives (in particular, Suzanne Perkins of the SB County Parks Commission) for their leadership on this important issue. Should the proposal be approved, please continue to abide by the Dog PAC motto of "courtesy, cleanup, and control" in order to continue to earn this privilege.
How you can help: Let your County officials know that you think off-leash areas in County Parks are a good idea. Send your comments to:
Rick Wheeler, Interim Director
SB County Parks Dept.
Rocky Nook County Park
610 Mission Canyon Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
rwheele@co.santa-barbara.ca.us
[Be sure to thank Rick for all his support!]
Or our five County Supervisors:
- Naomi Schwartz: nschwar@co.santa-barbara.ca.us
- Susan Rose: srose@co.santa-barbara.ca.us
- Gail Marshall: gmarsh@co.santa-barbara.ca.us
- Joni Gray: jgray@co.santa-barbara.ca.us
- Joseph Centeno: jcenteno@co.santa-barbara.ca.us
SB County Board of Supervisors
105 E. Anapamu St.
Santa Barbara CA 93105
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The 9th annual Santa Barbara Big Dog Parade will take place on Saturday June 7th starting at 9:30 a.m. PLEASE march with us wearing your Dog PAC t-shirt (if you don't have one, we'll give one to you for marching with us, while supplies last). We need volunteers for both marching with dogs and volunteers to help as parade marshals. |
One hundred and thirty-seven acres of rolling open space, sandy, winding trails, and panoramic mountain to ocean views - Ellwood Mesa offers recreation for all, dog walkers included. All kinds of dogs and a diversity of dog owners have enjoyed Ellwood for decades. On the edge of Goleta's urban limits, the Mesa offers a relaxed, natural open space where people and their animals become part of the landscape. Think of the Wilcox Property, now the Douglas Family Preserve Once again, we have the chance to preserve the same kind of experience forever. The time to save Ellwood is now.
For the first time ever, a willing seller means we have a chance to prevent development of more than 100 luxury houses on the land. A development plan has been approved for this property. Instead of moving forward, Comstock homes has agreed to a land swap. In return for building far fewer homes on a much smaller site close to the main road, a federal tax credit, and compensation for loss of profit, the developer will turn over Ellwood Mesa to the public. If the local community can raise $6 million by June 30th, this will ensure the other components of the deal can move forward.
We need to make sure we take advantage of this one-time opportunity. With the land secured, Ellwood users will play a valuable, active role in its future. Dog PAC's constructive advocacy would certainly have a role as well.
Friends of the Ellwood Coast (FOTEC) is campaigning in partnership with the national non-profit, the Trust for Public Land, to raise the local funds. We would welcome the support of Dog PAC members, and we know some of you have already sent in checks and committed to help. Thank you. Spread the word by writing a letter to the press or by helping to run tables at events. If you would like to help, either through your efforts or your donations, please let us know. Donations should be sent to: Save Ellwood Mesa! campaign, F.O.T.E.C., PO Box, 80456, Goleta, CA 93118. Call F.O.T.E.C. at (805) 708-7777 or visit the web site: www.fotec.org
Dog PAC's annual party/business meeting, The Dog Days of Summer, will take place at Elings Park on August 2nd from 11am 3pm. This year the event will be bigger and better than ever and our co-sponsors include the Elings Park Dog Owners Group (EPDOG) and the Santa Barbara Flyers flyball and agility club!
This dog party will feature agility, flyball, and obedience run-through rings, a raffle for many dog-related prizes, micro-chipping, vaccination clinics, K-9 massage, vendors, a Flying Dog Beer Garden and more!!! (Plus Dog PAC's 6th Annual Meeting and Elections.)
No Elings Park dog tags are required for this event and, of course, dogs are more than welcome! See you in August!
Have you . . .
(a) moved recently?
(b) acquired or changed your email address?
Do you . . .
(c) want to become more active in Dog PAC (including leadership or Board positions)?
Would you like to be contacted about helping with
(d) Big Dog Parade
(e) Dog Days of Summer (annual celebration and meeting)
Are you . . .
(f) willing to donate money to Dog PAC, to help keep us alive and fighting for you? (Remember, we have no dues, and are entirely supported by private donations!)
If you answered yes to one or more of the above, please send or email your responses to us
(along with a check, if you answered yes to (f) -- make checks payable to Dog PAC, SB) at:
Dog PAC SB, 5290 Overpass Rd., Ste. 123, Santa Barbara CA 93111, or by email at dogpacsb@yahoo.com
Please Include: Name, Street Address/P.O. Box, City, State, Zip, Phone, and e-mail address. Also, indicate if you would like to receive The Scoop by e-mail only
ThankyouThankyouThankyou!!
For more information about joining Dog PAC, SB, or for a free copy of this newsletter, contact Dog PAC, SB at 5290 Overpass Rd., Suite 123, Santa Barbara, CA 93111, by phone at 805-967-3949, or by e-mail at: dogpacsb@yahoo.com.
A publication of the non-profit organization Dog PAC, SB
The Scoop is the newsletter of Dog PAC, SB, a 501(c)4 tax-exempt non-profit organization. Dog PAC, SB engages in public education and limited lobbying regarding issues of responsible dog ownership, off-leash recreation, and the presence of dogs in public spaces.