Beach Advisory Committee Agenda Item #8 - 12/17/2020

Webinar ID: 915 8856 7110
Date: 
Thursday, December 17, 2020 - 6:00pm

REPORT OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON CHANGES TO THE TOWN DOG ORDINANCE
KATE BAUER BURKE, JOANNE GUSTIN, CAROL SHERMAN and JEN WASSERMAN

We were charged with determining whether any changes to the existing dog ordinance as it relates to Goose Rocks Beach were necessary or advisable.  The subcommittee has worked intensively for the past 6 weeks.  We are all long-time dog owners.  We came to our deliberations with different perspectives and priorities - some wanting to preserve as much freedom as possible for dogs on the beach and others wanting to keep dogs on the beach as much as possible but with some changes.  Each group compromised its preferences for the good of the beach, the endangered species and the dogs.

Reminder:   Existing Dog Ordinance:

  • 4/1 - 6/15  Dogs allowed on the beach any time of day under voice/sight control but must be on leash at the West End Plover Protection Area and must be kept at least 200 feet away from any nesting area of an endangered/threatened bird
  • 6/15 - 9/30    Dogs are not allowed on the beach between 8:30 am and 6:00 pm.  Dogs may be off-leash but under voice/sight control from 6:00 am to 7:30 am - dogs must be on-leash from 7:30-8:30 am and after 6:00 pm
  • 10/1 - 3/31   Dogs allowed on the beach any time of day.  Must be on-leash from 12:00-2:00pm.  At other times may be off-leash but must be under voice/sight control

ISSUES CONSIDERED:

  1. Endangered/threatened species - potential liability to the Town and individuals under the federal and state laws if a plover, least tern or other protected bird is damaged - penalties have increased in recent years. All of GRB has been designated an “essential habitat” for endangered/threatened birds.  Nesting time for piping plovers generally 4/1 through end of August.  First half of Sept GRB is still an essential habitat for migratory birds heading south.
  2. Changing profile of GRB - Much more intensive use of the beach - many more people and dogs - no longer the "community" beach where most people knew each other (and each other's dogs) - many more people (and dogs) here even in the "off-season"
  3. Recognize dogs' need for exercise - balanced against need to avoid unpleasant interactions more likely between leashed and unleashed dogs or between dogs and people
  4. Enforcement - the more complex an ordinance, the more difficult to enforce - try to follow the KISS rule
  5. Education - the more complex an ordinance, the more difficult to educate the public and encourage voluntary compliance - again the KISS rule 

PROPOSED CHANGES TO ORDINANCE:

  • 4/1 - 9/15    At any time that dogs are allowed on the beach must be on-leash - and must be kept 200 feet away from nesting areas of endangered/threatened birds.
  • 6/15 - Labor Day - dogs must be off the beach by 9:00 am and may return onto the beach at 5:00 pm - on-leash
  • 9/16 - 3/31   Dogs may be on the beach any time of day - dogs must be on-leash from 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm - dogs may be off-leash all other times provided they are under voice/sight control

SUMMARY:

HALF THE YEAR (BASICALLY "BIRD SEASON") DOGS MUST BE ON-LEASH - protects the birds from injury and the Town from liability - also on-leash dog owners more likely to be aware of and pick up after their dogs   

INCREASES THE TIME DOGS CAN BE ON THE BEACH DURING THE "SUMMER SEASON" (an extra half/hour in am and an extra hour in pm - and daytime restrictions end at Labor Day instead of 9/30)

HALF THE YEAR DOGS CAN BE OFF-LEASH MOST OF THE DAY - HAVE INCREASED THE ON-LEASH TIME FROM 2 TO 6 HRS TO ALLOW FOR LARGER NUMBERS OF WALKERS AND LEASHED DOGS

SIMPLER TO ENFORCE AND TO EDUCATE