Oceano Dunes advocates challenge Coastal Commission ruling
– Nonprofit organization Friends of Oceano Dunes filed a brief last week in response to the California Coastal Commission’s appeal of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court’s July 19 ruling. The ruling stated that the commission exceeded its authority in attempting to ban off-highway vehicle (OHV) use at Oceano Dunes.
The July 19 ruling addressed four lawsuits, three of which were brought by Friends of Oceano Dunes. The court concluded that if the coastal commission wants to ban OHV recreation at Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area (SVRA), it must either persuade San Luis Obispo County to amend its local coastal plan (LCP) or convince the state legislature to change the county’s LCP.
In their brief, Friends of Oceano Dunes wrote: “This case addresses the limits of the CCC’s authority when it cramdowns an amendment to a 42-year-old CDP to ban OHV recreation, contrary to the governing LCP that expressly authorizes OHV riding in barren sand ESHA.”
The coastal commission’s attempt to close Oceano Dunes SVRA would eliminate a significant recreational facility and impact local jobs and businesses. A recent study indicated that visitors to Oceano Dunes from outside San Luis Obispo County generate more than $500 million in annual economic impact. The closure would severely affect the South County economy.
The nonprofit’s board of directors has stated that they will continue to pursue all legal options to protect beach driving, camping, and OHV recreation at Oceano Dunes SVRA, as it has been practiced for the past 100 years.
Friends of Oceano Dunes is a 501(c)(3) California not-for-profit corporation established in 2001 to preserve camping and OHV recreation at Oceano Dunes SVRA. The grassroots volunteer organization represents approximately 28,000 members and users of the SVRA. More information is available at www.oceanodunes.org.
