Here I am, talons to keyboard, at a loss for what to write about the age-old, drop-dead, knockout fight over the Oceano Dunes. That’s probably because everything there is to say has already been said (or shouted) thousands of times over literal generations.
The California Coastal Commission heard more of the same—much more than it bargained for—at its meeting in San Luis Obispo on July 11, where the commissioners considered limitations to off-highway vehicle riding in the dunes.
The limitations would have been minor. Like, very minor. No riding at night? No riding over this creek that fish swim through? Fencing off areas that are already closed to riding?
That’s where the dunes people draw the line, apparently, because hundreds came from all over the state to attend a day-long meeting to speak out against the conditions. As you guys would say to people protesting anything you don’t agree with: “Don’t you people have jobs?!”
I have to be honest, the personal stories shared on July 11 got to me.
People all over California really do have a deep-seated connection to Oceano. It’s affordable, it’s beautiful, and it gives all kinds of people an opportunity to fall in love with nature in their own ways. For people with disabilities and mobility limitations, Oceano is really the only beach that’s accessible. And for the businesses surrounding the Oceano Dunes, the tourists who come to ride are vital.
But did we really need to hear that sentiment repeated 600,000,000 times (exaggeration) from 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. (no exaggeration) to get the picture? I sure as birdshit did not.
I only needed one or two people to tell me about how they were raised in the dunes, and their daddies were raised in the dunes, and their daddies’ daddies, and so on, to fully comprehend how important this place is.
I get it. I do. But it doesn’t matter how many people talk about their family memories, vacations, businesses, or beach access. Because you know what’s even more important than all of those things? BEING ABLE TO BREATHE.
Sure, maybe the calls for increased conservation efforts are a reach (sorry bird buddies, but I think the snowy plovers and least terns seem to be recovering in Oceano even with vehicles around). Maybe the houses on the Nipomo Mesa and other surrounding areas should have never been built. Maybe even some residents living near the dunes had to sign dust waivers or whatever before moving in.
Regardless, something has to be done for residents who are constantly breathing this dust in, but the Coastal Commission is waiting so State Parks can finish its plan to mitigate dust.
But every time State Parks proposes dust mitigation strategies, like foredunes and trees, dunes riders flip out about lost camping spaces and how it’s really the wind causing all the dust and not ATVs. Here’s a tip y’all: Let go of the wind thing and grip some solutions, because if you don’t agree to small changes that will please the dust breathers soon, an all-out riding ban will only become more likely.
The Canary is breathing easy far away from the dunes. Coincidence?! Send thoughts to canary@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jul 18-25, 2019.