Decision on Ocean Beach bonfire ban to take weeks

By Angela Hokanson / Brigid Gaffikin, Bay City News Service

June 6, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - Bonfires will most likely continue to be permitted at San Francisco's Ocean Beach this summer, if only because it would take several months for a ban on the fires to be officially enacted if park officials decide to approve the ban, according to Rudy Evenson, chief of special park uses at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA).

The public comment period on a proposal to ban bonfires at Ocean Beach closed last week, but it will likely be several more weeks before the superintendent of the GGNRA makes an initial decision on the issue, Evenson said.

Continued complaints about smoke pollution, beach litter and vandalism in the area of the beach where bonfires are allowed prompted park service staff to look into possibly banning the fires.

At present, bonfires are allowed on the beach in the area south of Fulton Street and north of Lincoln way, as well as in the section of beach directly across from Golden Gate Park.

National Park Service staff will review the public comments on the potential ban, and then GGNRA Superintendent Brian O'Neill will make a determination on the issue, taking into account public sentiment as well as the recommendations of the division chiefs of GGNRA, Evenson said.

If the park superintendent comes down in favor of the ban on bonfires, the proposed ban would then need to be published in the Federal Register, a publication that details proposed regulations by federal agencies and organizations.

Another public comment period would follow the announcement in the Federal Register. Park staff would then evaluate the feedback received during this second public comment period, and review the decision on the possible ban.

It would most likely take several months for this process to be completed, Evenson said.

When the GGNRA park superintendent makes a decision on the bonfires, it will be posted on the National Park Service Web site, Evenson said.

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