History of Snowy Plover at Pacifica State Beach (PSB).

1966 to 1971 -

Snowy Plovers were regularly present at this location in the Spring, when they would frequently be observed having multiple sequential nests.

1971 to 1992 -

Snowy plovers are seen, and nesting occasionally.

1993 –

The Pacific coast population of the Western snowy plover is added to the Endangered Species List as “Threatened”. See the entry

River sand was dumped on this location with live clams and whatever other foreign organisms were in it. Nesting by plovers was no longer seen at Pacifica State Beach after this time.

1998 -

April 26th is proclaimed "Snowy Plover Day" by Pacifica City Council, efforts are encouraged and undertaken for the protections of Western Snowy Plovers at Pacifica State Beach. To see the proclamation Click here

All of the protections signs mentioned in the proclamation were vandalized, and destroyed at Pacifica State Beach. (Similar vandalism has occurred at other Western snowy plover habitats along the West coast)

2001 –

The US Fish & Wildlife Service releases a Snowy Plover Recovery Program that includes measures needed for Pacifica State Beach. Pacifica's compliance with measures is in question.

To see recent additions (2007) which cover "disturbance" activities which may help beach goers: Click here

After requests from the public for PSB to be included, Pacifica State Beach was not considered for a pilot offleash dog program because …”it could not be enclosed without presenting significant conflicts with other park values" and it is subject to near-future Western snowy plover recovery planning and management efforts.”

See the relevant page or the whole document from the CA State Parks site: Click here

2002 –

California State Parks removes authorization for having dogs on California State Park beaches in response to the Snowy Plover recovery program and "threats to other shorebirds". See: CCR 4312.

2002 to 2007 –

A second set of signs for Snowy Plover & habitat/protections were put in at Pacifica State Beach.

As with the first set of signs, these were vandalized, and destroyed.

Tons of surplus sand was dumped on this location to cover up the natural cobbles during beach upgrades.

A paved path was put along the entire Eastern boundary of the Western snowy plover habitat which easily doubled the traffic into and through the habitat area. This is causing ongoing degradation of this habitat.

2008 –

Letters, emails and phones calls to the City of Pacifica about the issue at Pacifica State Beach particularly regarding dogs and wildlife (including specifically Western Snowy Plovers) were sent by (in order):

1: Pacifica Citizen/s
2: The Sequoia Audubon Society
3: The Loma Prieta Chapter of Sierra Club
4: Planning and Conservation League
5: National Wildlife Federation
6: Point Reyes Bird Observatory
7: California Coastal Commission
8: California State Parks

9: Pacifica Shorebird Alliance

Nine separate groups, conservation organizations and government agencies evaluated this issue. Most of which requested or suggested in some way that the city of Pacifica comply with California State law CCR 4312.

The public safety aspect -

During this period when the city was stepping up enforcement of a "leash law" (which is not in compliance with CCR 4312) at this location, a woman was injured by an off leash dog which highlighted the problems. Click here  (note: she refers to Pacifica State Beach as it's common name: Linda Mar)

This adds to the history of incidents with off leash dogs at this location.

2009 -

10: Pacifica Open Space Committee

Pacifica Open Space Committee passes a motion to support the protection efforts of the various agencies contacting the city of Pacifica.

The city of Pacifica forms a sub-committee to address the issue in response to the CA Coastal Commision. Unfortunatly there are no biologists or other experts assigned to this sub-comittee which will make recomendations to council on this issue.

11: The Committee for Green Foothills.

12: The San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory

13: American Bird Conservancy.

These groups become the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th group/org etc... to address this with the city of Pacifica.

2010 -

During the last half of 2009 into 2010, a "Shorebird protections subcommittee" chaired and facilitated by staff comes up with "Pacifica's" suggestions for Snowy Plover protections. 

Recommendations from CA State Parks (which were requested by California Coastal Commission) are contradicted in the resulting recommendations.

Pacifica city council reviews all the combined protections measures and unanimously directs staff to  request input from the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

2011 -

US Fish and Wildlife Service responds with recommendations for Snowy Plover protections at Pacifica State Beach.

Staff starts communications, clarifications and negotiations with US Fish and Wildlife Service on protections.

2012 -

Pacifica staff is continuing communications, clarifications and negotiations with US Fish and Wildlife Service on protections.

Members of the Pacifica Shorebird Alliance work with both parties on clarification of roosting areas used by Snowy Plovers.

The protections are still a work in progress.

Future -

Both CA State Parks and Coastal Commission will have to approve the agreed upon protections.

It is in our opinion that the City of Pacifica is not presently in compliance with state (CCR 4312) and federal (Endangered Species Act) laws and regulations at Pacifica State Beach.

Also, the City of Pacifica has responsibility for operating Pacifica State Beach in an agreement with CA State Parks. As far as we can tell Pacifica also does not comply with the USE section of the operating agreement in this matter.

We believe the City of Pacifica does not manage the beach in way that properly protects the Snowy Plover (or other migratory birds) and therefore the city is not in full compliance with the operating agreement, and with state and federal wildlife law.

Pacifica Shorebird Alliance is working to address the management of Pacifica State Beach for the Snowy Plover and other shorebirds.  Please contact us if you would like to help, or would like to learn more.