The latest news in the contenious issue of what to do about Sharp Park, an area that is inhabited by the San Franscico Garter Snake and the California Red-legged Frog and under the control of the San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department (SFRP) is the results of an environmental study recently completed by the Wild Equity Institute Currently much of the park is a golf course. Also see this related post. The entire article can be found at: Environmentalists Call New Sharp Park Study the Most Complete Ever, but Golfers Call it Spin Study counters 2009 San Francisco Recreation & Parks 2009 proposal, recommends doing away with golf course. By Camden Swita, February 12, 2011 San Carlos Patch.
The Wild Equity Institute (WEI), a San Francisco-based environmental policy advocacy organization, sent a letter to the mayor of San Francisco and board of supervisors calling for the conversion of Sharp Park Golf Course to a nature reserve for endangered native frog and snake species and a park. The suggestion is contrary to those proposed in a 2009 study done by SFRP. The newest study, prepared by ESA PWA, an environmental consulting firm, makes four assertions:
1) “The least costly restoration alternative that would most benefit endangered species at Sharp Park would remove the golf course and restore the natural ecosystem, saving taxpayers tens of millions of dollars in a time of budget crisis.”
2) “Restoring the natural processes of Laguna Salada will preserve the Sharp Park beach, while the Park Department’s proposal will result in the beach eroding away.”
3) “Sharp Park historically provided more extensive habitat for the California red-legged frog and the San Francisco garter snake, and only through reviving a natural functioning coastal lagoon system can a sustainable and resilient habitat for these endangered species be maintained at Sharp Park in the face of future climate change.”
4) “The proposed restoration will provide improved flood and erosion protection for surrounding properties.”
This is sure to stir up the golfers - but the newest study results look like a win for the City of San Francisco, its tax payers, and the herpetofauna if implemented.
Labels: California Red-legged Frog, conservation, San Francisco Garter Snake, Sharp Park