Point Reyes Light - December 23, 2004
Bolinas seeks ban on weekend beach camping
By Jacob Resneck
Bolinas Public Utility District asked the county last week for an all-year-round weekend ban on beach camping. The proposal, which would sunset in March 2006, was sent by BPUD directors to Supervisor Steve Kinsey following more than three months of deliberations by the BPUD’s Beach Committee formed last September to tackle the contentious issue of beach camping.
Residents have been divided over the issue with many residents who live along Bolinas Wharf complaining of noise, litter, and illegal fires. Opposing voices argue that a total ban on camping would not solve the problem of scofflaws soiling the beach and would merely make beach use more restrictive.
Following a fierce debate last July, BPUD directors voted 3-2 to send a request to the county to ban all camping on the beach. Supervisor Steve Kinsey responded that the 3-2 majority was too slim, sending it back to BPUD to reconsider. In response, a Beach Committee was formed to consider the issues of beach access, maintenance, and safety.
Compromise more restrictive
In October, an ordinance prohibiting camping on weekends during summer months expired after its two year mandate ran out. In an effort to get an ordinance in place before the busy summer months, the nine-member Beach Committee voted 6-0 with one absention to submit a compromise ordinance which while more restrictive than the earlier ordinance, was less severe than the original proposal rejected by Supervisor Kinsey.
Beach Committee Chair Magi Barror told The Light that the proposed ordinance was meant to be a stop-gap measure while the committee deliberates over complex issues over how beach camping might be legally controlled. These issues, which would involve the state Coastal Commission, various property owners, and the complicated task of securing public-access easements along private property, takes time to work out, he said. In the meantime, the committee felt some protection should be in place.
"After looking at all those issues, we felt that leaving the beach unprotected would not be too smart," Barror said.
Shared goals, divided strategy
Beach Committee Member Joel Braverman who has spoken against banning camping said the committee itself was united by the principal of preserving the beach, but divided over how this should be accomplished.
"Everybody wanted to maintain and improve the quality of life on the beach," said Braverman, who abstained from voting on the proposed ordinance. "Some people think it should be through a ban by bringing the law in, others think there should be an information campaign. For example, passing out papers saying, ‘This is our beach, please take care of it.’"
Coastal Commission may weigh in
Liza Crosse, aide to Supervisor Kinsey, said that the supervisor’s office had received BPUD’s letter, and had put out a call to the Coastal Commission to see if they wanted to review the matter before county supervisors considered it.
Because the latest proposal is more restrictive (by banning camping on weekends year-round, not just summer months), she said the Coastal Commission should have a chance to give input.
"Since it’s a little more restrictive, the Coastal Commission may want to weigh in," she said.
Crosse said that, assuming that the Coastal Commission doesn’t involve itself, a new ordinance could be voted on by county supervisors in the next four to six weeks.
"But if the Coastal Commission decides they do want to weigh in, who knows?" she said, adding, "[The Coastal Commission is] very short-handed. If they decide to require a coastal permit, it could take months, and it may not be in effect before the summer months."
Such an eventuality could leave Bolinas Beach without a camping ordinance next summer, she said.