Dunes users question the purchase of land

Users of the Oceano Dunes are questioning why the state Department of Parks and Recreation is commissioning an environmental impact report for a proposed purchase of land in the off-highway park.

"The environmental impact (of cars on the beach) has already been seen," said Nipomo resident Peter Maly during a public EIR scoping meeting last Thursday hosted by State Parks.

The Nipomo Mesa resident referenced historical photographs taken in the early 1900s that show vehicles driving in the Oceano Dunes.

State Parks is proposing to purchase what's known as the La Grande Beach Tract - a 584-acre parcel in the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, which it operates and manages.

The La Grande Tract is owned by San Luis Obispo County and leased month-to-month by State Parks. It comprises about one-third of the riding and camping area in the Oceano Dunes SVRA.

Maly said the belief by some that the high levels of particulate matter found on the Nipomo Mesa are the result of vehicles in the dunes isn't accurate.

"It's the wind; it's not the vehicles that carry the PMs," Maly said. "There are people who want (the Oceano Dunes SVRA) and people who don't want it."

Longtime Oceano Dunes SVRA rider Kevin P. Rice also questioned why an EIR was necessary for the proposed purchase if State Parks

doesn't plan on changing the use - off-highway vehicle recreation - on the land.

State Parks officials have only said publicly that they believe the department's proposal to buy the La Grande Tract from the county requires an EIR per guidelines in the state's

Environmental Quality Act.

The EIR is expected to examine the potential environmental effects of the proposed acquisition of the parcel and continuing existing operations on the property, according to TRA Environmental Sciences.

The state first attempted to purchase the La Grande property in 2008 and failed. It has proposed another purchase attempt now because the $4.8 million in funding for the project could be lost in 2010.

"This is a huge priority project," Victoria Harris, TRA Environmental Sciences senior project manager, said about the EIR that is expected to be released in draft form in January.

She encouraged the public to submit comments to State Parks about potential environmental effects the proposed sale could have so those could be included in the environmental review.

"Alternatives to the project will be important to this EIR," Harris said, adding one known alternative that will be studied is "no project," which is required by the state's Environmental Quality Act.

Oceano resident Nell Langford said she hopes the conflicting use she claims is present at the Oceano Dunes SVRA kills the project and shuts down the popular off-highway recreational area.

"It's unsafe for pedestrians, and it's unsafe for kids," Langford said about the Oceano Dunes SVRA. "You can't manage it. It's an unsafe sport."

Comments on the scope and content of the EIR for the La Grande Tract purchase must be received by State Parks by Friday. Send to Ronnie Glick, Oceano Dunes District Office, 340 James Way, Suite 270, Pismo Beach, CA 93449, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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Source: http://www.santamariatimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_ff937d50-c454-11de-83a9-001cc4c03286.html