A rope barrier at Children’s Pool beach to protect harbor seals from people during pupping season is recommended to the full City Council, which will take up the matter on April 17.The Natural Resources and Culture Committee voted 4-0 on April 5 to recommend a rope barrier through May 31. Most of the speakers at the hearing spoke in favor of the barrier. In fact, there was only one speaker opposed to the idea, who said people should have priority over seals.This issue normally draws many people to City Hall, and the committee held its meeting in City Council chambers in anticipation of a large crowd. But a rainstorm on April 5 meant that fewer than 40 people showed up on this issue.District 2 City Councilman Kevin Faulconer made the motion for a rope barrier, and it was seconded by District 3 Councilwoman Toni Atkins.Faulconer said that “the rope will not only protect the seals … it might reduce citations” given to people who get too close to the seals.Atkins said she wished the City Council could hear the matter earlier. But since the council is scheduled for a recess for spring break/Easter week, the April 17 date, a Monday, is the earliest available. Also voting for the rope barrier were council members Donna Frye and Ben Hueso. Faulconer said he visited the site a month ago.The season in which harbor seals give birth and are nursing usually runs from Jan. 1 to May 31. The council could vote later in the year to erect the rope barrier for a longer period in 2007.A number of people with the Sierra Club spoke, including Loretta LaBianca, who said, “Seals will not come ashore if there are people at the water’s edge. Joint use of the beach has not worked. The city’s municipal code has not been enforced by lifeguards. There are many beaches in La Jolla for humans. These animals are legally protected. A rope would go a long way.”Several people cited seals’ draw as a “huge tourist attraction” as a reason to protect them.”We love to see seals in their natural habitat,” said a father with his two children. Another speaker said that “an inexpensive thing like a $20 rope would help.” A 1931 trust transferred ownership of the cove from the state to the city. The Children’s Pool is supposed to be used for a public park and a bathing pool for children. A lawsuit involving this issue was decided in San Diego Superior Court in August of 2005, when Judge William Pate ordered that the Children’s Pool be returned to its 1941 state. The city has filed an appeal. Atkins made reference to the suit when she noted “a judge may determine the outcome.”