Action Item

FUTURE OF LAWSON’S LANDING THREATENED

After many years of providing to the public what has, since 1957, become one of the few remaining areas of access to the California Coast, providing wholesome, family-oriented outdoor activities, Lawson’s Landing faces the threat of extinction.

While trying to gain approval of the regulatory permits required to modernize Lawson’s Landing, which are necessary to remain in business, the Lawson family is facing strong opposition by various environmental groups which effectively would end more than just a family business, it would bring to an end a way of life going back 3 generations and close one of the few remaining campgrounds on the California Coast.

Lawson’s Landing is a scenic and idyllic setting for enjoying activities such as camping, fishing, kayaking, hiking, clamming, wildlife activities, beachcombing and educational fieldtrips.  If, like many generations before you dating back to the turn of the century, you have come to Dillon Beach or, dating back to 1957, you have enjoyed coming to Lawson’s Landing, please lend your support by calling or writing to the individuals listed below; and/or by attending the various upcoming public meetings with regard to the fate of Lawson’s Landing.

 February 2006:   We are faced with a new challenge from the State Coastal Commission who are concerned that Marin County is moving too slowly in its approval of our master plan.  This is happening because of the pressure brought about by local environmental groups to the C.C.C..  We feel the Coastal Commission needs to hear from you, our customers, how you feel about our existence and the future of Lawson's Landing.  Please fill out and return the form below and we will make sure the Coastal Commission hears from you.  Thank you!

COASTAL COMMISSION TO DENY COASTAL ACCESS

 After 49 years of operating as a campground, trailer park, marina and coastal access point the California Coastal Commission has suddenly decided that Lawson's Landing has no permits and needs to cease all activities. This decision was made based on some postcards delivered to a Commission meeting by members of the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin and the Sierra Club, Marin Chapter.  Apparently these postcards are more important than the fact that the Lawson family, at great expense, have been working since 1967 with the Marin County Planning Department to obtain the necessary permits in a manner consistent with county, state and the Coastal  Commission's laws.  Since postcards seem to impress the Coastal Commission staff more than their own laws and regulations, we ask you to fill out the form below and send it back to Lawson's Landing.   We will collect all your letters and present them to the Coastal Commission at one of their public meetings.  Also, letters, phone calls and emails to elected officials would help.  Feel free to copy this for friends.  Your help will make sure that your coastal access remains open.

California State Assembly & Senate

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 In our ongoing pursuit of a master plan with Marin County for the past seventeen years, we have now run into a problem with the California Coastal Commission.  They are contending that Marin County is taking "too long" to approve or disapprove our master plan and they want us to pursue a coastal development permit.  At the same time we're working with the county on the draft environmental impact report.  We wanted you, the public, to know what our problems are with these differing county and state agencies so that when we ask for your help, you will have a better idea what to ask for.  The main thing emerging with the Coastal Commission is that we have a different interpretation of what coastal access means than the Coastal Commission does.  They believe coastal access is enough if a few people can walk across the property to the shoreline for a few hours.  We believe coastal access means being able to spend a day or several days to a week enjoying what the coast offers, rather than having to pack up and drive inland to spend the night somewhere.  Under the state Coastal Commission, "coastal access" does not necessarily guarantee camping at the coast.  Since camping is an integral part of our business, we want you, the public, to know which method it appears the Coastal Commission prefers.  Here is the copy of the letter we recently received from them.

I use Lawson's Landing for my coastal trailer or tent camping, beach access, boat launch or other use and I don't want to lose it!  Please allow the lawful process already under way to continue in the manner proscribed by law so we and future generations will be able to enjoy this unique coastal area as we have.

NAME  ___________________________________________________________________

SIGNATURE ____________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS     ____________________________________________________________________

CITY              _____________________________________________________________________

STATE         ____________________________  ZIP CODE  ______________________________

Send to:      LAWSON'S LANDING

         P. O. BOX 67

         DILLON BEACH, CA 94929

         or FAX to (707) 878-2942

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

Call or check our website for up to date information.

707-878-2443  www.lawsonslanding.com 

December 14 California Coastal Commission Meeting Results.

 Thanks to all the petitions (over 18,000), the letters to the Commission and the 300 people who attended the meeting the Commission voted to enact a Consent Cease and Desist Order and consent being the operative word. The Lawson's have agreed to work with the Commission and marine County to settle the permitting issues. If Lawson's Landing breaks the agreement the Cease and Desist part of the Order goes into effect. Since a Cease and Desist would effectively end the Landing, the Lawson's intend to comply with the agreement and provide all the requested information possible. It is hoped that this will provide a permitting arrangement that balances the environment, historical uses, and coastal access. The Order is not the end, it could have been, but instead another step in a long process and is not the last time Lawson's Landing will ask for your help.