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Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area is to remain open for off-roading and camping activities after a pivotal court ruling.
On July 19, the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court ruled that the California Coastal Commission must vacate its decision to close the Oceano Dunes SVRA, the only off-road riding area on California's Pacific coast. The court ruled that the CCC does not have the authority under state law to ban the OHV activity.
This court ruling is a result of four lawsuits brought by Friends of Oceano Dunes and EcoLogic Partners, two organizations that contested the controversial CCC motion to ban and scale back all OHV and motor vehicles from driving on and camping at Oceano Dunes State Park back in March of 2021. We covered this issue extensively in the video below.
Friends of Oceano Dunes argued that the local coastal plan only authorizes the county, not the Coastal Commission, to close the park. The Court agreed with that analysis and agreed that the Commission’s effort to ban OHV unlawfully attempted to amend the county’s plan, in violation of the Coastal Act, which specifically permits off-road activity. The Court also ruled in favor of Friends’ argument that the Commission failed to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, because it failed to do a proper traffic impact analysis when it decided to close Pier Avenue as a vehicle access point to the beach.
This ruling ultimately stops the CCC in its tracks from banning OHV activity and overturns its actions in closing the Pier Avenue beach entry point (an important artery for beach access to all beach goers).
The Court also clarified if the CCC wants to pursue a ban on OHV activity, it will require amending the local coastal plan, either through the San Luis Obispo County Legislature or amending the county’s local coastal plan through the California Legislature.
Jim Suty, President of Friend of Oceano Dunes, released a video update on the organization's social channels announcing the victory in court. He also issued a warning that the fight is not over in protecting OHV rights at the park.
My take
For California off-road enthusiasts like myself, this ruling is a pleasant surprise. It can often feel like the odds are stacked against our small community. An impartial judge looked at the evidence and made a fair and balanced judgment based upon the law. While Suty is right to pursue proactive measures to ensure the future of off-roading at Oceano Dunes, I also propose that all OHV riders reflect on what a privilege it is to ride in these areas. The surest path to securing a long future of riding at Oceano Dunes is to convince the surrounding community that we also care about the health and vitality of this unique beach, both environmentally and economically.
This ruling is an opportunity and a second chance. Let’s not let it go to waste.
