Environmentalists Lose, Sharp Park Wins!

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By admin June 16, 2015 22:46

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Environmentalists Lose, Sharp Park Wins!

Though Frogs & Snakes Win Too

The four-year legal battle surrounding the 18-hole championship Sharp Park Golf Course in Pacifica (near San Francisco) appears to be over at last—renovations to both the course and nearby wildlife habitat are underway, ending a legal confrontation that saw the majestic course come close to shutting down.

 

In the dispute between environmental groups and local government agencies over threats to endangered animals living near the course, the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance spoke for the myriad area golfers of all abilities and socioeconomic groups who use Sharp Park, a seaside gem designed by one of the geniuses of course architecture, Alister MacKenzie.

 

Christopher Carr, Morrison & Foerster Environment and Energy partner, advised the SFPGA pro bono throughout the four-year duration, intervening on the side of the City and County of San Francisco in order to specifically represent the interests of golfers in protecting this unique and affordable public golf course.

 

The Ninth Circuit dismissed environmentalists’ appeals of lower-court rulings, upholding a Superior Court judge approval of Sharp Park’s renovation and restoration plans, closing the case.

 

Frog and snake lovers should still be satisfied with the result. The renovations will guarantee the future safety of the small, endangered species at the center of the case, the California red-legged frog and San Francisco garter snake.

 

Carr, who is based in San Francisco, said, “This is a common-sense result. Sharp Park was created by one of golf architecture’s Old Masters, and it serves everyone from high school teams to local citizens to pros to fundraising organizations, and more. It’s a landmark and a civic institution, and it’s also a safe haven for endangered species. We’re proud of the work we did on behalf of the SFPGA; the SFPGA folks and everyone else who worked on our side should be, as well.”

 

Planned upgrades to the iconic course, one of the few public courses designed by legendary golf architect Alister MacKenzie (1870-1934), comprise enhancements to both the golf course and the adjacent wetlands, which are home to the endangered San Francisco garter snake and California red-legged frog.

 

After anti-golf groups led by the Center for Biological Diversity filed suit in 2011, alleging that course operations harmed the two animals in violation of the federal Endangered Species Act (Wild Equity Institute, et. al v. City and County of San Francisco), the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance (SFPGA) successfully petitioned the U.S. District Court to intervene as co-defendant, arguing that the hugely diverse community of golfers who used the Sharp Park course would otherwise be without a voice in the case. The Alliance, a 6,500-member group including both local duffers and golf architecture devotees from around the world, is devoted to preserving Alister MacKenzie’s public golf legacy at Sharp Park.

 

The California Coastal Commission has approved a plan for the golf course that includes building a new frog pond and moving a golf cart path away from wetland areas near the 14th hole. The course is already partly irrigated with recycled water, via the Pacifica Recycled Water Project.  Major restoration work on the historic 18-hole course is planned, but still under environmental review.

 

Sharp Park opened in 1932 on land given to the city for public recreation. Its architect, Alister MacKenzie, is one of the acknowledged geniuses of golf course design, having also created Augusta National, home of the annual Masters Tournament, and the Cypress Point Club on the Monterey Peninsula, which features some of the most celebrated golf holes in the world.

 

 

 

 

 

admin
By admin June 16, 2015 22:46