Crowdog
06-21-2002, 07:22 AM
Stop the closure of Oceano Dunes
Wednesday, June 19, 2002
By Tami Jo Nix
The Friends of Oceano Dunes are holding a rally, Sunday, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Madera District Fair Grounds, 1850 West Cleveland Ave. The purpose of the rally is to show support for public access and off-road vehicle use in the Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area at Pismo Beach.
Presently there is only 1,500 acres open for public access and the use of off-road vehicles. Prior to 1982 there was 15,000 acres open for public access. Adjacent to acreage set aside for public use is an 11 mile stretch of coast land designated as a wilderness preserve consisting of 13,000 acres.
Since 1982, through the efforts of the Sierra Club and other environmental groups, much of the California coast line has been closed to the public.
"We aren't even trying to gain additional access," said Chris Bufford of Fresno, formerly of Madera, "we are trying to retain the area allocated to us."
A pending lawsuit on the matter has petitioned the State of California to "prohibit; though a preliminary injunction; any further operations of Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area."
Friends of Oceano Dunes hope to inform the public of this lawsuit against the California State Parks.
"This lawsuit has very strong implications and may result in closure of the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreational Area." Bufford said.
A similar rally in Bakersfield in April drew a large crowd of off-road vehicle enthusiast.
"Off-road vehicles contribute $3,049,000,000 annually to the state's economy. The majority of these funds, $1,166,000,000 is spent in the purchase of off-road vehicles. The hobby creates $646 billion in fuel, parts, repairs, insurance premiums and other miscellaneous revenue. Accessories and additional equipment purchases generate another $491 billion. Hotel logging, restaurants and groceries count for $496 billion with an additional $244 million spent on miscellaneous costs and equipment. This hobby/sport supports 43,000 California jobs," according to "Taking the High Road" a report published by the California State Parks Service.
Corporate sponsors for the rally include Clawson Motor Sports, Muffler Outpost, California Mortuary Service, Sand Warrior's, Discount Trophy, Highline, Full Throttle, Central Valley Polaris, Burnett's Sand Center, Kragen Auto, CB Performance, American Suzuki Motor Corp.,
Metal Craft, Concepts in Tile, Medford and Hood, Discount Tires,
Gorlicks Distributing, R&S Enterprises, Lion Pool Service, Monster Quads.Com, Olsen's Auto Machine, Wilson's Machine, Sand Rocket, Clovis Line-X, EZ Automotive, Nobal Truck Accessories, Macto Tools,
Payless Transmission and Western RV.
For more information visit their website at www.oceanodunes.org or contact rally organizers Butch Hotz (559) 308-0935, butch@ocenaodunes.org, Ron Hartley, (559) 284-3457, ron@oceanodunes.org or Gene Schroeder, (559) 355-2484, gene@oceanodunes.org.
http://www.maderatribune.com/news/275191768975871.shtml
Wednesday, June 19, 2002
By Tami Jo Nix
The Friends of Oceano Dunes are holding a rally, Sunday, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Madera District Fair Grounds, 1850 West Cleveland Ave. The purpose of the rally is to show support for public access and off-road vehicle use in the Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area at Pismo Beach.
Presently there is only 1,500 acres open for public access and the use of off-road vehicles. Prior to 1982 there was 15,000 acres open for public access. Adjacent to acreage set aside for public use is an 11 mile stretch of coast land designated as a wilderness preserve consisting of 13,000 acres.
Since 1982, through the efforts of the Sierra Club and other environmental groups, much of the California coast line has been closed to the public.
"We aren't even trying to gain additional access," said Chris Bufford of Fresno, formerly of Madera, "we are trying to retain the area allocated to us."
A pending lawsuit on the matter has petitioned the State of California to "prohibit; though a preliminary injunction; any further operations of Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area."
Friends of Oceano Dunes hope to inform the public of this lawsuit against the California State Parks.
"This lawsuit has very strong implications and may result in closure of the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreational Area." Bufford said.
A similar rally in Bakersfield in April drew a large crowd of off-road vehicle enthusiast.
"Off-road vehicles contribute $3,049,000,000 annually to the state's economy. The majority of these funds, $1,166,000,000 is spent in the purchase of off-road vehicles. The hobby creates $646 billion in fuel, parts, repairs, insurance premiums and other miscellaneous revenue. Accessories and additional equipment purchases generate another $491 billion. Hotel logging, restaurants and groceries count for $496 billion with an additional $244 million spent on miscellaneous costs and equipment. This hobby/sport supports 43,000 California jobs," according to "Taking the High Road" a report published by the California State Parks Service.
Corporate sponsors for the rally include Clawson Motor Sports, Muffler Outpost, California Mortuary Service, Sand Warrior's, Discount Trophy, Highline, Full Throttle, Central Valley Polaris, Burnett's Sand Center, Kragen Auto, CB Performance, American Suzuki Motor Corp.,
Metal Craft, Concepts in Tile, Medford and Hood, Discount Tires,
Gorlicks Distributing, R&S Enterprises, Lion Pool Service, Monster Quads.Com, Olsen's Auto Machine, Wilson's Machine, Sand Rocket, Clovis Line-X, EZ Automotive, Nobal Truck Accessories, Macto Tools,
Payless Transmission and Western RV.
For more information visit their website at www.oceanodunes.org or contact rally organizers Butch Hotz (559) 308-0935, butch@ocenaodunes.org, Ron Hartley, (559) 284-3457, ron@oceanodunes.org or Gene Schroeder, (559) 355-2484, gene@oceanodunes.org.
http://www.maderatribune.com/news/275191768975871.shtml