Submitted by Elizabeth Copper
Dear Mayor Tanaka, Council Members, and Mr. King,
I was distressed to hear that the design of the proposed fence for Silver Strand State Park is still under discussion and that the City is unwilling to allow the use of chain-link fencing despite the clear recommendations of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the protection of the listed Western Snowy Plover.  I am concerned that this project reached the council for approval of funding and advertisement for bid with significant errors in conditions (date of plover nesting), failure to address potential disturbance to winter and migratory roosting flocks, and failure to acknowledge or address the conflict between the City’s design and FWS recommendations.  This cavalier treatment of the City’s federally protected natural resources is unacceptable as is the City’s disregard for the fiscal consequences – delays that could prevent the project from being completed. If the City is unable to finish an acceptable fence before the nesting season begins or funding runs out it will be the result of yet another bungled job.
Elizabeth Copper
Coronado
