PUC accepts Lake Merced watershed report, moves to assume gun club lease after public outcry

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission on May 8 accepted the Lake Merced watershed report and directed staff to assume management of the Pacific Rod and Gun Club lease following extensive public testimony and discussion.

The action came after multiple residents, conservation groups and task-force members urged the commission to reject the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Recreation and Park Department, arguing the draft MOU left too much authority with Rec and Park and failed to ensure long-term stewardship of the watershed. Dan Murphy of the Golden Gate Audubon Society urged the PUC to “assume full management control of Lake Merced,” saying the watershed needs stronger stewardship to protect water quality and habitat.

PUC staff had presented the MOU as an updated framework to replace a 1950 resolution, clarifying shared responsibilities and proposing that the PUC take back the Pacific Rod and Gun Club lease so the agency can address site contamination and long-term management. Steve Ritchie, assistant general manager for water, said the staff’s preferred approach was to increase PUC oversight, pursue water-level management and coordinate basin-wide improvements using the watershed report as a basis for future actions.

Public commenters challenged Rec and Park’s capacity to manage watershed functions. Jerry Cadigan of the Committee to Save Lake Merced urged rejection of the MOU as written, calling past promises “broken” and saying the lake’s basic needs — such as preventing green-waste runoff and repairing boathouse infrastructure — remain unmet. Tim Colin, a founding member of the Lake Merced task force, recommended that the PUC maintain sole management authority, citing the agency’s water-stewardship mandate.

Rec and Park officials, including Katie Patruccione, director of administration and finance, defended their role and described plans for expanded recreation programming and maintenance support. James Wheeler, the city’s waterfront manager, outlined proposed youth and community programs (kayaking, dragon-boat workshops, day camps) and said modest fall programming costs would be about $17,000 for staffing.

Commission debate focused on three options: reject the MOU, accept it with a short-term reporting requirement, or remove certain elements (notably the gun-club lease) for separate action. City Attorney staff advised that accepting the watershed report does not itself create budgetary obligations or force hiring; it serves as a planning resource. Commissioners ultimately approved a motion to accept the watershed report and directed the general manager to assume management of the Pacific Rod and Gun Club lease, while asking Rec and Park to return with a detailed six-month plan, specific deliverables, budget figures and a timeline for boathouse programming and maintenance.

The measure passed by voice vote. Commissioners emphasized they expect measurable progress in the near term and asked staff to clarify what maintenance and programming responsibilities the PUC would retain and which Rec and Park would perform. The commission also instructed staff to check whether bond language for an upcoming Rec and Park measure would affect eligibility for Lake Merced funds.

Next steps: staff will negotiate the lease-management change, return to the commission with precise amendment language and a timeline for deliverables, and coordinate with Rec and Park on funding sources and an implementation schedule for the watershed recommendations.