The California Coastal Commission issued a coastal permit to State Parks in the 1980s for operations at Oceano Dunes, and periodically reviews and updates that permit. The Commission has found that driving at the Park has degraded dune habitats, harmed native species, caused air quality and public health issues, and made it difficult for the public to walk, swim and enjoy other activities at the beach. The Commission required State Parks to address these concerns when it last reviewed the permit in 2019. Among other things, the Commission directed State Parks to consider reducing driving activities that contribute to these problems, and to evaluate phasing out OHV use altogether. In response, State Parks prepared a draft plan detailing how they would like to continue managing the Park. That plan proposes to maintain and even expand vehicular and OHV use, including new campgrounds, OHV related facilities and new OHV access to the Park near Oso Flaco Lake and at the Phillips 66 site. The Commission is reviewing this plan and is scheduled to hold a virtual public hearing on these matters on March 18, 2021.
The Commission is a state government agency that preserves and protects California’s coast and ocean for the public. It does this by looking at how development affects the environment and coastal access. Agency staff make recommendations to a voting board of Commissioners, who make the final decision on proposals. In this case, the tentative staff recommendation for the March 18th hearing is to phase out off-roading over five years and to expand different types of recreational uses that won’t harm coastal resources at the Park. The staff recommendation will encourage car-camping on the beach between West Grand and Pier Avenues, as well as some remote hike-in/bike-in camping. Off-roading enthusiasts will continue to be able to ride at eight other inland State Parks that allow vehicular recreation, as well as at nearly 70 other public OHV areas in California.
The Commission staff recommendation would not close Oceano Dunes. Rather, the recommendation would enable the Commission to partner with State Parks, the local community, and visitors to the area to reimagine the Park operating in a more environmentally sustainable and legally consistent way. The Park would continue to offer unique experiences such as car camping on the beach, and a range of other activities, from walking and swimming at the beach to horseback riding, birding, fishing and hiking the dunes.
Under the staff recommendation, the Park would:
The staff recommendation would initially increase beach/vehicular camping space, and then after the five year transition provide roughly the same amount of camping space currently available at the Park but move it further north. The camping would then be closer to Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, and Oceano businesses near West Grand and Pier Avenues, allowing campers to walk, visit, and shop in those areas. Closing the Pier Avenue vehicle ramp will enable the underserved community of Oceano to directly connect to its beach, which could bring with it the types of opportunities that help other California beach towns prosper. These changes are likely to impact existing businesses catering primarily to OHV uses, but there would also be expanded opportunities for businesses catering to lower-impact beach and dune uses. Oceano Dunes would continue to be a Park that is attractive for visitors, particularly for families looking for unique lower-cost recreational and outdoor opportunities in the five cities area.
It is important that the Coastal Commission hear the public’s vision for the future of the Park. That includes community leaders, business owners, elected representatives, residents and visitors. Previous Coastal Commission hearings on the Park have drawn a majority of speakers with strong single-issue views such as those who support OHV use and those who oppose it. While these views are important, the upcoming hearing is also an opportunity for the people to comment on what they want to see for the Park and its future more broadly. Whether those opinions support the staff recommendation or oppose it, we encourage everyone’s participation. As indicated above, the Coastal Commission is expected to make an important decision on the future of the Park on March 18, 2021, and now is the time to provide your input, whether by sending in comments in writing or by testifying at the virtual hearing on March 18th, or both.
Documents associated with the Coastal Commission’s July 2019 action
Documents associated with State Parks’ PWP progress updates 2019 and 2020
Documents associated with State Parks’ proposed plans in response to the Commission’s July 2019 action and direction
Documents associated with the Coastal Commission’s March 18, 2021 hearing
Documents translated to Spanish associated with the Coastal Commission’s March 18, 2021 hearing (Documentos traducidos al español asociados con la audiencia de la Comisión Costera del 18 de marzo de 2021)
