Thank you Mr. DePasquale from Cambria for supporting the establishment of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary (“Let’s get that marine sanctuary going,” New Times, Dec. 8). I support it too. Yet, we have a more urgent local issue we need to act on now: stopping the destruction of Oceano Beach, the Arroyo Grande Creek’s estuary, and the Oceano/Nipomo dunes happening under the crashing wheels of the off-roaders and their cars on the way to their playground.
The legislation that created the Off Highway Vehicle Division and established the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area has a sunset clause that expires Jan. 1, 2018. This law is called the Chappie Z’berg Off Highway Motor Vehicle Law. It’s time for the Legislature to reconsider this law and make changes if needed. Big-time changes are indeed needed. Since the law was enacted in 1971, its tragic consequences have become apparent: the health impacts of PM10-saturated dust on the Nipomo Mesa and Oceano beach community; the noise, traffic, and trash left behind; and the destruction of the ecosystem of the beach, Arroyo Grande Creek, and dunes.
Because of this legislation, we are paying with our health and the quality of our lives and ecosystem so that some can seek injurious and deadly thrills. Please send letters and comments to the appropriate state representatives to urge them not to reinstate our Oceano dunes as a State Vehicular Recreation Area.
This article appears in Dec 22-29, 2016.