NAC Update - WA: Seattle REJECTS nudity ban

You gotta love Seattle. The Board of Commissioners for the Parks & Rec Department there have REJECTED a sweeping proposal to ban mere nudity in all of the City's parks. Unobtrusive clothing-optional use of portions of certain parks has been a tradition in Emerald City. Nudity is a part of celebration, protest and expression there.

The Commissioners understand.

The Naturist Action Committee's Mark Storey attended the Thursday evening meeting of the Commissioners, and he files a remarkable story of the success of naturists and others who pulled together quickly to oppose the proposed ban.

Read the NAC Update and enjoy!

NAC Action Alert - Seattle considers ban on nudity in parks

The Board of Parks Commissioners for the Seattle, Washington, Department of Parks & Recreation will been asked to ban nudity in all of the City's park areas and facilities that are open to the public. Staffer Karen Tsao will present the proposal at a meeting on of the Commissioners on Thursday evening, November 14, 2008.

The Naturist Action Committee will be at the meeting. Although this information comes with very short notice, NAC has asked interested and involved local residents from the Seattle area to attend the meeting, too.

Details are included in a NAC Action Alert on this important matter.

Look for further information as this situation develops.

NAC Advisory - Lake Willoughby, VT

Acting on complaints filed by disgruntled supporters of the recently failed anti-nudity ordinance in the town of Westmore, the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation has made allegations of environmental crimes against members of a local naturist group that successfully opposed the ordinance.

Ordinances in the tiny town of Westmore apply to adjacent Lake Willoughby, where there is a long tradition of clothing-optional use at a cove on the southwest end of the lake. The idea of an anti-nudity ordinance for the town (and the lake) was first presented to the Westmore Selectmen by Jonathan L. Wood, Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation (FPR). Interestingly, FPR have attempted to deny that connection, despite the fact that Commissioner Wood's suggestion was given in a public meeting and is documented in the official minutes of the Westmore Selectboard.

The Naturist Action Committee has retained local legal counsel to assist in this matter. More details are included in this NAC Advisory.

NAC Update - CA: San Onofre

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NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE
UPDATE
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http://www.naturistaction.org
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Copyright 2008 by the Naturist Action Committee, which is responsible for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its entirety and without alteration.

DATE: October 3, 2008
SUBJECT: San Onofre Update
TO: All naturists and other concerned citizens

Dear Naturist,

The beach at Trail 6 of San Onofre State Beach remains clothing-optional, thanks to quick and successful action by the Naturist Action Committee (NAC) and tremendous support from individual naturists and organizations. However, the battle for San Onofre is far from being over. This NAC Update is intended to provide you with current information on this important situation.

A BRIEF RECAP OF RECENT EVENTS

A California Superior Court ruled in August in favor of NAC in its lawsuit against the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). DPR had attempted earlier this year to bypass state law regarding changes to public regulations, moving suddenly after more than 30 years to end the traditional clothing-optional use of a small portion of San Onofre State Beach in San Diego County.

In its order, the Court declared, "Dept of Parks must comply with the provisions of the California Administrative Procedures Act before it makes any changes in its enforcement." Further, the Court said, "until the administrative process is completed, Parks shall maintain the status quo, and enforce the Cahill Policy as it has done since its issuance and subsequent interpretation by the Harrison letter, at Trail 6 in San Onofre State Beach."

WHAT'S NEW?

As NAC had anticipated, the California Department of Parks and Recreation has appealed the order. Meanwhile, DPR has refused to remove the "Nudity Prohibited" signs that it had installed at San Onofre as part of its plan to ban naturist use of the beach.

Additionally, DPR personnel are misinforming the visiting public by telling them that there are no clothing optional areas at San Onofre and by saying that nudity is illegal south of Trail 6.

The signs and intentional misinformation are chilling, and they violate the Court's order to return to the status quo and the traditional enforcement of the Cahill/Harrison regulation. Earlier this week, NAC petitioned the Court of Appeals for a writ that would require removal of the signs and put a halt to DPR's campaign of misinformation at San Onofre State Beach. DPR has until October 13 to respond.

NAC THANKS YOU!

When the Naturist Action Committee asked for your grass roots participation in contacting the Director of DPR, you responded magnificently. Many of you are demonstrating through your generous contributions to NAC that you understand the significant expense associated with the Naturist Action Committee's important defense of naturism on public lands. NAC continues to rely on your support.

Friends of San Onofre Beach, NAC's co-plaintiff in the lawsuit, has done meaningful local fund raising. Also worthy of special mention is the gracious contribution made to NAC by the members of AANR-West.

NAC thanks all those who are choosing to make a difference!

MORE INFORMATION

Details of this situation and specifics of the Cahill/Harrison Regulation and associated documents may be found on the NAC Web page: www.naturistaction.org/sanonofre

There, you will find background documents and important files related to NAC's lawsuit, including NAC's recent petition for a writ to force removal of the "Nudity Prohibited" signs.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The Naturist Action Committee is in this for the long haul. Our successes have been significant, but no one should imagine that California's Department of Park and Recreation will simply give up its attempt to ban nudity at San Onofre.

NAC will continue to issue Action Alerts, Advisories and Updates on this issue as circumstances require. Look for them.

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

NAC is committed to the defense of clothing-optional use of public land. NAC does not hesitate to hire lawyers and lobbyists when it becomes necessary, but that can be very expensive. NAC does not have a membership roster on which it can simply assess dues. NAC relies entirely on the voluntary support of people like YOU.

Won't you please send a generous donation to:

NAC
PO Box 132
Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 (8AM-4PM, Central Time, weekdays) to donate by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit card to make a convenient online donation: www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,

Bob Morton
Executive Director
Naturist Action Committee

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Naturist Action Committee (NAC)
- PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org
Board Member Allen Baylis - rab@baylislaw.com
Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com
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NAC Wins San Onofre Beach Lawsuit

A California Superior Court ruled yesterday in favor of the Naturist Action Committee (NAC) in its lawsuit against the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). DPR had attempted earlier this year to bypass state law regarding changes to public regulations, as it moved precipitously to end the traditional clothing-optional use of a small portion of San Onofre State Beach in San Diego County.

Click here for the NAC Update concerning this important development.

NAC Update: California - Ruling delayed in San Onofre lawsuit

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NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE
UPDATE
**********************************************
http://www.naturistaction.org
**********************************************
Copyright 2008 by the Naturist Action Committee, which is responsible for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its entirety and without alteration.

DATE: August 20, 2008
SUBJECT: Judge postpones ruling in NAC's San Onofre lawsuit
TO: Naturists and other concerned citizens

Dear Naturist,

The Naturist Action Committee wishes to update you briefly concerning an intermediate step in the battle to preserve a portion of San Onofre State Beach for clothing-optional use.

As many of you are aware, today is the day a California Superior Court had designated for issuing a ruling in the lawsuit the Naturist Action Committee (NAC) has filed against the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). Earlier this year, DPR had attempted to bypass state law regarding changes to public regulations, as it moved to end the traditional clothing-optional use of a small portion of San Onofre State Beach in San Diego County.

NAC sued, seeking to force DPR to follow state law.

A tentative ruling by the Court favored NAC, but following the presentation of oral arguments, Judge Sheila Fell said she would withhold a final ruling while she considers the issue further.

Joining NAC as petitioners are Friends of San Onofre Beach (the local TNS-affiliated naturist group), as well as individual beach users Allen Baylis and Gerda Hayes.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The Naturist Action Committee expects a final ruling within a matter of a few days. This delay must not be taken as an indication that we won't ultimately win. It's a reflection of the seriousness with which the judge views this matter.

WHAT IS NAC ASKING YOU TO DO?

This is a NAC Update. NAC is not asking for your action at this time.

MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Additional information and links are available, along with this NAC Update on the web site of the Naturist Action Committee.

www.naturistaction.org/sanonofre


PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

NAC is committed to the defense of traditional clothing-optional use of public land. NAC does not hesitate to hire lawyers and lobbyists when it’s necessary, but that can be very expensive. NAC does not have a membership roster on which it can simply assess dues. NAC relies entirely on the voluntary support of people like YOU.

Won’t you please send a generous donation to:

NAC
PO Box 132
Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 (8AM-4PM, Central Time, weekdays) to donate by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit card to make a convenient online donation: www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,
Bob Morton
Executive Director
Naturist Action Committee

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Naturist Action Committee (NAC)
- PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org
Board Member Allen Baylis - rab@baylislaw.com
Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com
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NAC Update: California - San Onofre

*****************************************************
NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE
UPDATE
*****************************************************
http://www.naturistaction.org
*****************************************************
Copyright 2008 by the Naturist Action Committee, which is responsible for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its entirety and without alteration.

DATE: July 9, 2008
SUBJECT: NAC files San Onofre lawsuit
TO: Naturists and other concerned citizens

Dear Naturist,

This is an Update from NAC.

On Wednesday, July 9, 2008, the Naturist Action Committee filed a lawsuit against the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), as a direct result of the Department's recent attempt to put an abrupt end to traditional clothing-optional use at San Onofre State Beach in San Diego County. Judge Sheila Fell of the California Superior Court for Orange County has set a hearing on the matter for late August.

NAC's legal request is a "petition for a writ of alternative mandamus." The action seeks relief for clothing-optional beach users who are threatened with citation and prosecution as a result of a precipitous change to public policy by DPR. The Department was represented in court by the California Attorney General's office.

Director Ruth Coleman of CA Parks has revoked the Department's long-standing Cahill Policy, as it is applied to San Onofre State Beach. That policy allows for the management of clothing-optional areas within state parks and has been in force statewide since 1979. According to records obtained by NAC under California’s Public Records Act, CA Parks has plans in place to issue citations to those who are merely nude in the traditional clothing-optional area at San Onofre State Beach.

Represented by attorney Elva Kopacz, the Naturist Action Committee maintains that in abrogating the Cahill Policy, the Department of Parks and Recreation has violated the state’s Administrative Procedures Act. The APA requires state agencies to go through prescribed procedures, including public hearings, before making changes to regulations or public policies that have the force of regulations. The DPR did none of those things and claims to be immune from the requirement.

Based on assurances in court from the Attorney General's representative that no enforcement of the new anti-nudity posture would be made at San Onofre until after Labor Day, Judge Fell declined to rule immediately on the matter and set an August hearing date.

Joining NAC as petitioners are Friends of San Onofre Beach (the local naturist group), as well as individual beach users Allen Baylis and Gerda Hayes.

A VERY BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION

Details of this situation and specifics of the Cahill Policy and associated documents may be found in the NAC Action Alert of May 21, 2008, and in the NAC Update of June 1, 2008. You will find those on NAC’s Web page: www.naturistaction.org Look under "ALERTS."

NAC THANKS YOU FOR WHAT YOU’VE BEEN DOING!!

In its NAC Action Alert of May 21, the Naturist Action Committee asked for your specific action in sending correspondence to CA Parks Director Ruth Coleman, opposing the revocation of the Cahill Policy at San Onofre. NAC thanks you for your outstanding response, which has been impressive in terms of both quality and quantity.

WHAT HAS NAC BEEN DOING SINCE THE PREVIOUS UPDATE?

Since the previous NAC Update, the Naturist Action Committee has continued its vigorous effort to preserve the clothing-optional use of a portion of San Onofre State Beach.

1) NAC has made additional Public Records requests for documents pertaining to this situation and the administrative action surrounding it.

2) Through its lobbyist, Pete Price, NAC secured an appointment with DPR Director Ruth Coleman. In Sacramento on July 2, NAC Board Member Allen Baylis and NAC Executive Director Bob Morton had a face-to-face meeting with Director Coleman and her top advisors. The meeting lasted for more than an hour and covered a great deal of ground. In the end, however, Coleman and her staff refused to hold public hearings, as required by law.

3) NAC filed its lawsuit on July 9, 2008.


WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

DPR rangers are still supposed to be "educating" beachgoers to the threatened anti-nudity policy at San Onofre.

The Naturist Action Committee is preparing further for the court date in late August.


WHAT IS NAC ASKING YOU TO DO?

This is a NAC Update. No additional letters to Director Coleman are being sought at this time. However, NAC does request that you:

1) Stay informed. NAC will continue to issue Action Alerts, Advisories and Updates on this issue as circumstances require. Look for them.

2) Keep going to the beach at San Onofre, and keep using it in the traditional clothing-optional manner. CA Parks is attempting to intimidate beachgoers into simply evaporating. We must NOT allow that to happen!

3) If you are approached by a ranger on the beach or in the parking area at San Onofre, make a detailed note of the encounter, including the date, the time, the ranger’s name and what was said. E-mail your account to: sanonofre@naturistaction.org

Do not be combative or confrontational, but you may make it quite clear that you are taking notes.


MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Additional information and links are available, along with this NAC Update on the web site of the Naturist Action Committee.

www.naturistaction.org

Select "Alerts" and find this NAC Update under Current Updates.


PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

NAC is committed to the defense of traditional clothing-optional use of public land. NAC does not hesitate to hire lawyers and lobbyists when it’s necessary, but that can be very expensive. NAC does not have a membership roster on which it can simply assess dues. NAC relies entirely on the voluntary support of people like YOU.

Won’t you please send a generous donation to:

NAC
PO Box 132
Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 (8AM-5PM weekdays) to donate by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit card to make a convenient online donation: www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,

Allen Baylis
Board Member
Naturist Action Committee

-------------------------------------------------------
Naturist Action Committee (NAC)
- PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org
Board Member Allen Baylis - rab@baylislaw.com
Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com
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NAC Update: San Onofre Sate Beach, CA

Updated information from NAC on the situation involving San Onofre State Beach in California.

Click HERE for a NAC Update.