please. >> i am is a bow wave -- isabel wade. thank you for sponsoring this legislation. despite the efforts of the media to trivialize the discussion, there are three important opportunities with the proposed restoration of sharp park. the first is that we have an opportunity to expand a national park. that is significant. it does not happen every day. this property has two and dangerous species. we need to do the right thing. we have an opportunity to rebalance recreation. a 2004 study indicated the number one recreation need was for hiking trails. golf was no. 19. we need to prioritize our

expenditures in the recreation field to balance recreation, to make sure we're covering the 99%. finally we need to do fiscal responsibility. golf is a drain of the parks to resources. we have an opportunity to do a good fiscal management. what could be more sensible? please support the legislation. thank you. supervisor avalos: before the next speaker, i will call out some more names. nancy are buckled -- arbuckle, michael stewart. >> my name is neal desai from the national parks association. we are and abbas group for the enhancement of the national

parks for all americans to injury -- we are and advocacy group for the enhancement of the national parks for all americans to enjoy. this is giving us an option to look at. we have been shortchanged. we have the opportunity to look at a willing partner. they have said they would be willing to take a step forward in forging a partnership with the city of san francisco. the city needs to do the first step. this ordinance does it. the national park service has stated they will assume responsibility by creating a new public park that will enhance access, recreation, and the use of the clubhouse as a visitors center. it is within the legislative boundaries. they're legally allowed to

except management of the property. you have all seen the national park service statement. the national park service is well equipped and mandated to protect. we need to look at an alternative that provides policymakers with partnership opportunities. [tone!] the national park service is the best-equipped agency to fund this over the long term. they have said they will meet the requirements. they will fund a long-term planning. it is in their statement on page two. they will take on the responsibilities, assuming the management partnership moves forward. we have a willing partner.

thank you. supervisor avalos: next speaker, please. >> my name is nancy arbuckle from the audubon society. we support the ordinance. we're here to ask you and the entire board of supervisors to do the same. the great environmental value of returning sharp park to coastal estuary has been obvious to our members for years. we recognize recreational and educational opportunities. birders, hikers, schoolchildren, and others are denied the opportunity to enjoy this unique place. this is our opportunity to rectify that situation. a partnership with the national parks service offers the best means for protection and recovery for the endangered

species in the park. sequoya audubon urges you to support the ordinance. it is one of the most important restoration projects in our area. it can proceed and move quickly forward. thank you. supervisor avalos: next speaker, please. to those of you disagree with the legislation, please be patient. eventually, you will get your turn to speak. we have some gamesmanship right now with the speaking. you will get your chance to speak. please hold on. [applause] [laughter] supervisor elsber-- >> characterizing this as gamesmanship when we have people speaking on both sides is unnecessary.

thank you, supervisor elsbernd . i am sure we will get more characterization's of the hearing as we proceed. i hope not. i will call some more cards. i have gone through the whole list of speakers. this includes people who will be of the opposite position that i have. i welcome them to speak. janet braeger,. >> i live in pacifica and have for 34 years. i support restoration of the wetlands and beach under national park management. of the winner of a 2004

environmental award, i have a long-term commitment to environmental issues and action. i would like to show you a picture, an aerial photo, taken in 1928 of the area. what you see is the first aerial shot of laguna salada. it shows a mechanically preached channel out to the notion that has been partially filled back in with sand. a geologist friend gave me the photo. i am sorry we did not have it sooner.

a close look at this will show a coastal lagoon that had been mechanically breached. vegetation surrounding the lagoon provides area for frogs and snakes. the area on the east side has excellent vegetation allowing the frogs and snakes to come out of the water the plan. the plan raises the east side. he will trap snakes between the ocean and within. no basket area is created. i asked you to support the transfer of the wetlands to the national park service. please save the dollars for the use of san francisco's most

vulnerable. thank you. supervisor avalos: if i have called your name, please come forward. roxanne ramirez, mckinsey green, dawn barka. >> my name is dr. krieger. i am the founder and executive director of save the frogs, the only charity dedicated to protecting amphibians. they're the most rapidly disappearing animals on earth. i am here to support the legislation. over 2000 amphibian species are on the verge of extinction worldwide. it is one of the greatest environmental crises on the planet. i am representing thousands of supporters worldwide who have sent in letters to the board of san francisco. they're asking you to support legislation to protect the sharp

park wetlands. they are crucial to our environment. 80% of america's wetlands have been destroyed. frogs are very important in the ecosystem. we are in support of a world where humans do not destroy every last bit of habitat on the planet. that is what is happening now. sharp park, death by a thousand cuts is the term for slowly destroying every habitat. many frogs are already extinct in california. let's do something to keep san francisco the leader o-- the whole world looks to california. california should do things that make people look to us for leadership. here is our chance now. we have drained the wetlands.

the pumps are located where the california red-legged breed. we're pumping federally endangered species out to sea. let's stop. shut down the golf course. let's have a national park. many people like national parks. very few people like golf. they can drive to a different of course. frogs cannot drive anywhere. that is their home, sharp park. supervisor avalos: next speakers, please. >> i am here to represent the golden gate audubon society. we would like to speak in favor of the ordinance. we believe it is good for frogs, snakes, and walleye. it is good for san francisco

taxpayers and residents. i will not repeat some of the ecological discussions that have been discussed. we know it actively kills frogs and in dangerous snakes. we know activities harm other wildlife. what we like about the legislation is that it calls for a thoughtful planning for the conservation and other uses of the area. it makes enormous of funding. it sets forth a plan and budget for partnership. san francisco is out there on its own subsidizing golf outside the city essentially. i think it would be exposed to extreme liability under the endangered species act as well as for the long-term maintenance for the facility with climate change that could degrade the area. i would like to talk more about the financial reasons we think this legislation is a good idea and why you need a partnership

in budget and planning. those of us working in the inferno to community see rec and parks besieged by underfunding for ecological protection. the money going into sharp park can be better invested into existing parks and golf courses. it can provide services at centers that have been shut down. we think that money would be better invested in san francisco to provide diversity while protecting biodiversity at sharp park. the residents and taxpayers would be much better served under this legislation. thank you for your time. supervisor avalos: thank you. >> speaker, please. >> my name is mackenzie green. i am here against a desire to shut down sharp park.

a small percentage of people play golf, but look in your family and friends. see how many people have held a golf club or desire to. the environmental thing is one thing. saving the kids is something else. i see it as a benefit to children and worth the money to keep the golf course and give them something constructive to do. it is one of the great reasons to keep sharp park open. the other is that it is historic. alistair mackenzie help to design famous golf courses in australia. we spend our time saving

buildings, but what about the land? if you close sharp park, i do not think you can get in there and use it for hiking trails. i think it will be overgrown. i think it will be flooded. i think it will be wasteful. my heart goes out to the snakes and frogs. the common sense is that i care more about the people, the kids and old people. their ability to get out and do things. the whole world cannot become environmental. i think we do our fair share. supervisor avalos: thank you very much, next speaker, please. >> my name is roxanne ramirez. i am in support of the legislation. i am here to speak on behalf of annie myers.

she could not be here but asked that we pass on this message. she chaired a working group for the parks department in 2010. she says the course has severe problems. the park is within the boundary of the unmanaged golf courses. the working group she chaired saw it as an evolving landscape. the western edge is different now and will not look the same 25 years from now. at some point, it will be necessary for the city to ask the national park service to step in and help. she also states that she believes the gulf alliance and richard harris have not accurately reflected the working group findings. she agreed to chair the working group to establish facts regarding sharp park. implicit in the findings were that the golf course is not sustainable given the challenges posed by sea level rises and

climate change. the present design is not consistent with the long term protection of the federal protected species on the site. the golf course lacks historical integrity. it is quite different from the course designed by alistair mackenzie. that washed away a long time ago. the seawall and pumping system are significant changes from the original course. we list the findings in support of the historical integrity. this is why the representatives of the golf group are inaccurate. trying to retain the golf course while protecting crops and snakes is not the liberty of -- indicative of the findings of our working group. thank you.

supervisor avalos: next speakers. >> i am from pacifica. i became involved because of the overwhelming scientific evidence that the endangered san francisco garter snake and red- legged frog will not survive at a fully functioning golf course. many of us do not agree with the local politicians and golfers. i talked to all of our city council members. it is not unanimous among them the the golf course should be saved. rediscovered pictures of the sharp park area that anyone can access offers strong evidence that it was a non-tidal laggon before the golf course was built. that means the frogs and stakes were there before the golf course.

the report on sharp park had little hydrology. the biological study led to suspect conclusions. the phil williams report fills in those holes. one example of many, almost everyone agrees that the berm does not protect endangered species. because the pond cannot flush out, the bottoms have become anaerobic. this creates sulfur compounds on the bottom that will be released into the water if dredged. for maximum protection of the snakes and frogs, please do not sink millions of dollars into a golf course that is not sustainable. instead, i suggest san francisco put the recreation money into programs within the city, programs with that would allow for improved facilities, and

offered help to the at risk youth programs that are being cut. there is one chance to save the endangered frog and snakes. supervisor avalos: thank you very much. next speaker, please. >> my name is wayne vietch. i am a homeowner in san francisco and a resident for more than 40 years. i am a regular golfer at sharp park. i am pleased you are allowing a couple of us to speak on behalf of golfers. [applause] it is a beautiful recreation facility. hundreds of golfers enjoyed it.

i can see from the hearing today that the issue is not frogs and snakes. it is money. let's take a look at the budget and what it costs to run the course and how the course can be run to the satisfaction of the city treasury. i say it is not about frogs and snakes because they have existed and thrive together with golfers for decades. if the golf course is reverted to its original configuration, restored, it will be laguna salada. that means saltwater lake. it will be salt water lagoon as it was before and the frogs will be dead. [applause]

supervisor avalos: for both sides, if we could refrain from clapping. thank you. >> thank you for affording me this opportunity. my name is clarence bryant. i am a longtime resident of san francisco and a product of its environment. as such, i find this as an affront to me as a citizen. i represent a group of golfers, the bay area golf club of the western golf association. i would like to read into the record for you some excerpts and statements, letters were sent to the congressman, the mayor,

the board of supervisors, and the san mateo supervisors. we said that we were the host club for the western state inaugural championship held at sharp park in 1954. sharp park is a part of san francisco tradition in providing great, classical architecture in public places. our members and all of those who play golf at sharp park know that is an alistair mckinsey heritage. the tradition of the african american golf community continues at sharp park. it has for over 20 years hosted a home for an annual senior swingers tournament. [tone!] the organizer is in the audience today.

the bay area golf club think you should take this ordinance under advisement before you make a vote on it. we respectfully ask you to look at the possibilities of keeping people of color from utilizing all the facilities in the city. thank you. supervisor avalos: next speaker, please. >> i am a native san franciscan in the bernal heights area. alastair mckinsey was a scottish doctor and architect. he said that the goal is to imitate the beauties of nature

and presumably also the hazards so as to make a work in distinguishable from nature itself. sharp park golf course reflects this principle. it is a special place. he went on to design many courses in the united states and many countries. , most notably the portland course in scotland, the rosemont golf course in perth, the west course at royal melbourne in australia, and sharp park holds a special place. he designed many other golf courses.

one is ranked one of the best collegiate golf courses in the united states. the number two rated course in the united states according to golf digest. most notably, the augusta national golf course in the augusta, ga., raided the greatest course in america in 2001. [tone!] sharp park is the second most important landmark in pacifica next to the pacific ocean. it is unaffordable, beautiful place to play golf. you do not have to travel an hour. we have harding park, lincoln park. this is the only course that is affordable to a lot of golfers. it is a treasure. we implore you to keep it. thank you. supervisor avalos: next speaker. more cards.

>> think you for giving me the opportunity to address your special meeting. i am a pacifica resident and a sequoia a member, a sequoia audubon member. i am also a volunteer with the clover program. let's not forget the overall reasons to safeguard the policy of protecting endangered plants and animals. assuming long-term management

for biodiversity those in sooner, the sooner we can give it needed petition. i urge you to let them manage and maintain sharp park as a natural area for all citizens. thank you. supervisor avalos: thank you, next speaker, please. >> my name is still in smith. kinesics generation san franciscan -- my name is still in smith region dyland-- my name is dillon smith. i am a sixth generation san franciscan. i grew up playing golf in sharp park. everybody there wants to support kids and help them in their lives and have a place to go. i saw this happen for the last

five is six years of my life. i saw kids being touched by the people at sharp park. because of that, their lives and injuries for ever. because of the people at sharp park, they have a chance and go confident about themselves to do well in the future. >> think you for being here. may i ask you a question? do you go to lincoln park or glen eagles? why not? >> i do not know, honestly. it is up to the people who deal with money. it is not my decision where we go. >> a linkedin and glen eagle are very short courses. -- li annoln