Update on the Beach Chalet Soccer Fields project:

On April 30, 2010 the San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department announced that they will perform an Environmental Impact Report for the Beach Chalet Soccer Fields project. 

Read the article from the San Francisco Chronicle here

Read Golden Gate Bird Alliance’s press release here

Please continue to stay informed and comment on the EIR scoping process. Golden Gate Bird Alliance and other groups will ask for a scoping hearing, at which the focus of the EIR will be discussed and determined.  Your letters can be a part of this process..

We will continue to keep you informed.

Below is a summary of the background:

On April 28, 2010 Golden Gate Bird Alliance and 14 other community and environmental groups joined in filing an appeal to the categorical exemption of the Beach Chalet soccer fields renovation.   While the San Francisco Planning Department claimed a categorical exemption under classes 1, 3 and 4 of the CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) we are challenging this exemption.  These exemptions are for minor projects with no impact to the environment for existing facitlities, new construction and conversions of small structures, and minor alterations to land because these projects have no significant environmental impact.
Despite strong opposition from the environmental community, the historic preservation community, neighborhood groups, and many individuals, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission approved the Beach Chalet Soccer Fields project on April 15th, 2010.  Testimony submitted included statements by over 35 opponents,  200 personal letters, the concerns of 80 neighborhood groups and organizations and petitions from over 1,400 individuals questioning this project.
 
This project will have a significant adverse impact on Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach from the standpoint of the environment, the historic character of the Park, the sports field lighting on 60 foot poles, the plastic grass, the introduction of paving into parkland, the expansion of the parking lot, the increase in traffic into the park and at Ocean Beach, the damage to the windbreak that protects the park, and so many other issues.  An EIR is vital to explore the adverse impacts on this parkland, evaluate them, and propose mitigations or alternatives.  

The Planning Department issued a categorical exemption for the Beach Chalet Soccer Fields project. That means that they determined that the following would not have a substantial adverse impact on the environment or on Golden Gate Park:
·         loss of 6 acres of natural grass and topsoil
·         installation of 6 acres of artificial turf  = gravel, plastic carpet, old tires
·         60 foot tall stadium lighting spread over four fields
·         16 foot tall fencing
·         new sidewalks through and all around the fields and up to the parking lot
·         a 25% larger parking lot
·         more traffic in the park; less parking at Ocean Beach
·         15 foot lights on all the paths around the field and in the parking lot
·         lighting to be on from before sunset until 10:00 p.m. at night EVERY NIGHT OF THE YEAR
·         loss of over 58 trees and many more shrubs
·         loss of habitat for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife
·         located next to a new native plant area, which was meant to attract wildlife
·         runs contrary to the Golden Gate Park Master Plan
·         runs contrary to the National Register of Historic Places
·         destroys the historic character of the western end of Golden Gate Park
·         destroy views of the windmills, the Beach Chalet, and the Millwright’s house
·         excludes use as parkland by everyone else – dogwalkers, kite flyers, bird watchers, amateur astronomers, and people out for a walk.

We disagree!

The Golden Gate Bird Alliance, Sierra Club, California  Preservation Foundation, Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods, Coalition to Save Ocean Beach, Friends of Lands End, Friends of Sutro Heights Park, Golden Gate Park Preservation Alliance, In Defense of Animals, Richmond Community Association, San Francisco Tomorrow, SF Ocean Edge, Save the Stow Lake Boathouse Coalition, Sunset Parkside Education and Action Committee (SPEAK) and the Sunset District Neighborhood Coalition appealed the Planning Department’s decision to deny an EIR, to the Board of Supervisors. 

Please write letters to the Board of Supervisors and to the Mayor, asking for an EIR.  Copy us on your letters.

Read more here…