Thank you Mr. Frank DePasquale from Cambria for supporting the establishment of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary (“Let’s get that marine sanctuary going,” 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, Arroyo Grande Creek’s estuary, and the destruction happening at the Oceano/Nipomo dunes under the crashing wheels of off-roaders and their cars on the way to their playground.
The legislation that created State Park’s Off Highway 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 is 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 dust on the Nipomo Mesa and Oceano communities; the noise, traffic, and trash left behind; and destruction of the ecosystem of the beach, the 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 15-22, 2016.