BOB & KATHY REISS, San Clemente
So why doesn’t San Clemente have a dog beach?
The answer is quite reasonable and common sense. Dog beaches such as Huntington Beach and San Onofre have two important criteria: long and wide beaches with no or minimal human beach uses.
San Clemente has narrow beaches and many human beach users, including our children.
In 2003, the city council voted to initiate the Clean Ocean Fund, which assesses property owners a fee each month on their water bills. This fund is used to keep our beaches and ocean water quality free from pollution.
The Clean Ocean Fund expired in 2020, and it is likely up for renewal among property owners in 2021. Our household has paid over $1,200 since the inception.
Each year, the revenue for the Clean Ocean Fund takes in $2.3 million (as per city website). In the past, we have supported it 100%. However, should the Beaches, Park & Recreation Commission and city council vote to allow a dog beach, we will not vote to support it.
In past years, Heal the Bay has rated two of San Clemente beaches thusly: D for the Pier, and F for Poche Beach.
Why in the world would property owners support the Clean Ocean Fund when our city officials allow dogs on the beach and water line to poop, and many dog owners to not pick up their waste?
Do not poison our ocean further.
