Protect Oceano Dunes from Destructive Off-Highway Vehicle Impacts

| CA

Protect Oceano Dunes from Destructive Off-Highway Vehicle Impacts

The Surfrider SLO Chapter is concerned with continued degradation of Oceano Dunes from impacts of off-highway vehicle (OHV) activity. For decades, California State Parks has failed to enforce its own rules and regulations, and the community and creatures have been paying the price: the area has chronic air pollution issues and dune buggies regularly kill snowy plovers, a listed shorebird under the Endangered Species Act, under their tires. Additionally, the people who live in and visit Oceano are unable to enjoy a restorative recreational experience due to their beach being, in essence, a highway.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Oceano Dunes was closed in March to all vehicle activity. Since the closure, the dunes and beach have transformed into a vibrant, safe and clean environment for beachgoers of all kinds.

Please ask State agency leaders to keep Oceano Dunes closed to OHV use until the recent Public Works Plan, the Habitat Conservation Plan, and the Environmental Impact Report have been approved.

California State Parks has drafted a Public Works Plan, a Habitat Conservation Plan and an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for Oceano Dunes, which are collectively meant to clarify and mitigate impacts from the Park. These plans and the EIR must be reviewed and approved by state and/or federal agencies before they can be implemented. However State Parks intends to reopen the park to vehicle use before these plans get approved. This reopening will reimpose immediate threats to wildlife, sensitive habitats and community health and safety.

Until State Parks receives these approvals, the park should remain closed to OHV activity to prevent continued violations of the Endangered Species Act, the California Coastal Act and the Local Coastal Program. In the interim, all parties should develop solutions that advance real conservation of natural resources and environmental justice for local communities.

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The Oceano Sand Dunes are recognized by scientists, conservationists, government agencies and the public as the finest, most extensive coastal dunes remaining in California. The beach and dunes offer critical habitat for endangered shorebirds and other rare plant and animal species. Unfortunately, off-highway vehicle (OHV) activity has been allowed to degrade this beautiful area for decades.

California State Parks recently drafted a Public Works Plan, a Habitat Conservation Plan and an Environmental Impact Report for the area. All of these documents still need to be reviewed and approved by state and/or federal agencies before they can be implemented.

However, at its earliest opportunity, California State Parks intends to reopen the park to vehicle use before these plans are approved, which will reimpose immediate threats to wildlife, sensitive habitats and community health and safety.
 
Surfrider and our partners would like to see a new, inclusive vision of recreation and conservation at Oceano Dunes that will secure environmental justice for surrounding communities, ensure better protection for wildlife and the natural environment, boost the local economy and respect the area’s cultural heritage.

Until State Parks receives necessary approvals on Public Works and Habitat Conservation Plans, as well as the EIR, the Park should remain closed to OHV activity to prevent continued violations of the Endangered Species Act, the California Coastal Act and the Local Coastal Program. In the interim, all parties should continue to develop solutions that advance real conservation of natural resources and environmental justice for the local communities.

I implore you, as a state agency leader, to adopt recommendations that will keep Oceano Dunes closed to OHV use until the Public Works Plan, Habitat Conservation Plan and the Environmental Impact Report have been approved and implemented.

Thank You!

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