In October 2003, the National Park Service (NPS) announced that the GGNRA Off-Leash Dog Policy would be revisited through a process called Negotiated Rulemaking, or "reg-neg." The goal of this new approach is to reach consensus on this contentious issue. As this "reg-neg" process unfolds, The SF/SPCA will continue, as it has done since 1868, to defend the lives and rights of the animals of our city.
However, it would be naïve to claim that the rights and privileges we wish to afford companion animals and their guardians will not affect the wider community in which we live. Conflicts can and do arise, and they must be addressed carefully, and solutions negotiated in a spirit of give-and-take. The shared use of recreation areas is one of these issues.
The NPS policy of prohibiting off-leash dogs on all national park lands, including the GGNRA, has drawn repeated fire from many owner/guardians in San Francisco. On the other hand, many other residents have long suggested that dogs running free can, in some circumstances, be a nuisance or even a danger. Similar concerns about park cleanliness and environmental integrity are also significant.
The NPS, faced with widespread non-compliance of its policy, and without the manpower to effectively enforce it, is turning for help to another organization, the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution, a federally-funded body which has successfully negotiated conflict resolution over public land use in the past through the "reg-neg" process. (For further information about the Negotiated Rulemaking Process go to http://www.nps.gov/goga/pets/anpr/index.htm)
Negotiated rulemaking embraces the community in searching for solutions to vexed questions. It involves a neutral convener, the establishment of a 25 member negotiated rulemaking committee, and public input at open meetings.
The approach may be lengthy, but if consensus can be reached by the committee, we can look forward to having safe and legal off-leash access for dogs in GGNRA. If "reg-neg" is not successful, the present regulation may stay in place, or the NPS may draft a completely new resolution. In the meantime, the current Leash Law will remain in effect until when, and if, the "reg-neg" process is concluded.
The San Francisco SPCA is committed to seeking common ground on the future of dog walking in this city. The Society will be in the forefront of the debate, and will pursue a solution that will balance the needs of humans and animals, as well as the environment.
