The National Park Service (NPS) announced in October that it has permanently ended

the planning and rule making process intended to establish new regulations related to

dog management at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA).

The decision follows the completion of an independent review of the process.

In its report, the independent review team concluded that the use of personal e-mails by

NPS employees to conduct official business was inappropriate, but the e-mails the team

reviewed ultimately did not influence the outcome of the planning and rulemaking

process. However, NPS officials, with the support of the Department of the

Interior’s leadership, concluded that it is no longer appropriate to proceed with the

rule-making process.

“We can do better and in the interest of upholding the highest standard of transparency

and trust with our Bay Area neighbors, we have determined that it is no longer

appropriate to continue with the current dog management rule-making process at

Golden Gate National Recreation Area,” said NPS acting director Michael Reynolds.

The GGNRA will continue to enforce existing pet regulations detailed in a 1979 pet policy

and the Superintendent’s Compendium. The current regulations allow visitors to walk

dogs under voice or leash control in specific areas of the park. The nation-wide National

Park Service regulation requiring dogs to be on leash will apply to areas not covered

by the 1979 policy.

The NPS has also adopted two special regulations that modify the 1979 policy for parts

of Crissy Field and Ocean Beach. For the time being, the interim permit requirement for

commercial dog walkers will remain in effect.

For more information, go to the website http://www.ggnra.gov.