I protest the Pismocean special event that our county government and the Off Road Division of State Parks have permitted to occur the weekend of Nov. 4. at the Oceano Beach and Dunes. It’s a huge event including stages, staff, artists, vendors, and restrooms. The event is so massive that lots for extra parking were rented in Arroyo Grande and a shuttle bus was set to transport guests, luggage, and equipment through Pier Avenue. The Oceano beach community is already tremendously impacted by the traffic, trash, noise, and sand dust produced by the off-road vehicles on their way to the off-roading area. The Air Pollution Control District studies and observance of the dust plume show that the cause of the toxic dust that is a health hazard to citizens downwind of the Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area is from motor vehicles driving on and grinding the sand on the beach and dunes.
The Pismocean event exacerbates those conditions to an unbearable level. The occurrence of such special events should be denied.
We, the people of the Oceano beach community, are paying with our health and the quality of our lives and ecosystem so that some can seek injurious and deadly thrills. Recreation should not override our health and safety.
This article appears in Nov 10-17, 2016.
