Actionable Intelligence

On May 13, 2009, I came across this article City resolves to ask state parks to enforce nudity laws published in the Auburn Journal, local news outlet for Auburn, California.The Auburn City Council recently unanimously approved a resolution presented by Councilman Kevin Hanley which demands that the state park superintendent and rangers for the Auburn State Recreation Area (pictured at left), responsible for the supervision of a stretch of beach along the American River step up enforcement of Section 4322 of Title 14 of the California Administrative Code regarding nudity in the state parks at a local river beach area at issue, named in the resolution. According to Hanley the area is frequented by nude sunbathers and more recently, those who use the area for “open-air sexual encounters.” With words smacking of prudery, Hanley testily reminded state park officials that he “knows the law” and that the Auburn City Council expects them to vigorously enforce the anti-nudity law for the benefit of Auburn residents who enjoy using the recreation area for clothed pursuits.

Based on the article referenced as well as on some additional research I found utilizing The Nude Beach Alliance web site, it seems that the area in question has a long history of use by naturists, nudists and others who simply enjoy being able to sunbathe in the buff. The current issue apparently stems from the fact that while this particular section of the river was once very remote, the likely reason it was chosen for nude sunbathing in the first place, it has been opened up since last year as the result of a water pump construction project by the Placer County Water Agency.

Mike Lynch, sector superintendent for the Auburn State Recreation Area, said state parks rangers do respond to any type of illegal activity, including illicit sexual acts in their jurisdiction, but that it has been a long-standing department policy to make response to complaints of nude sunbathing, when practiced in remote areas not readily available to the public, a low priority and that rangers only act when they receive citizen complaints. He also noted that authorities have not experienced any increase in the number of complaints received concerning the area in question despite the increased more-public access.

While Councilman Hanley was quick to throw in the allegation that the area is used for “lewd” purposes, the only citizen quoted in the article was Weimar resident Andrea Rose who said she would like to see more enforcement in the area because she likes to go hiking in the area with her 10 and 11 year-old sons and their redbone coonhound. “It’s a beautiful site and I would love to take my two kids there without having to worry about what they might see,” Rose said. I interpret her statement to mean that it isn’t lewdness that Ms. Rose is concerned about but more the fact that she simply doesn’t want her two sons exposed to nudity. Given that the Auburn State Recreation Area encompasses some 35,000 acres along 40 miles of the North and Middle Forks of the American River, I would think that Ms. Rose could find another part of it to hike with her children and dog if she is so concerned about her children being exposed to nudity.

This is just another example of textiles who believe their rights and opinions are superior to those of naturists and nudists just because they have outdated and antiquated laws on their side to enforce their own prudish standards of morality. I do agree that any real complaints about lewdness are justified and should be acted on by the state park law enforcement officials, but this whole story simply smelled of anti-nudity to me. Out of the seventeen comments posted by readers to the on-line version of the Auburn Journal story, the majority were either decidedly opposed to the city council resolution or considered nudity in this particular beach area a non-issue altogether, pointing out that the city had a lot more pressing issues that the council should be addressing instead of worrying about nude sunbathers on the American River. The article is still available for comments. I urge all naturists and nudists, whether you live in the Auburn, California or not, to register your opinions on this article. The article itself is still available for comments or you could also write to City Councilman Kevin Hanley directly at hanleykh@jps.net and make your thoughts known. One other recommended action is writing to California State Parks Department at info@parks.ca.gov to tell Auburn State Recreation Area Superintendent Mike Lynch, that you feel his agency already addresses the issue in a fair and balanced way and to urge him not to give in to pressure from special interests like the Auburn City Council. Here is an example of the “actionable intelligence” I spoke about in my previous series, “Shock and Awe”. While you may not live in California at all, much less this particular area, it is important that all naturists and nudists begin standing together to oppose anti-nude legislation and governmental actions. Make your voice and your opinions heard!