Pismo Beach/ Oceano Dunes OHV

[crusty1007]

so i was wondering what i could do about keeping my local dune area open and or growing....

i know it was closed down to less than half of its original size in 1982... and then after that, it has been a little here a little there...

everytime they put up new fences around plants they get bigger and bigger and bigger... then they talk about fatalitys and injuries... is this a joke?

The Oceano Dunes are seeing record amounts of people in a continually smaller area.

what can be done?
i see people like the blue ribbon coalition and Friends of the oceano dunes (thanks for the help!) but in reality it seems as if the state parks is out to close it down and lose not only revenue but local jobs...


EDIT: pismo Jim and 66Cummins pointed me in the direction of the friends of oceano dunes: www.OCEANODUNES.org

[megolfer]

Friends of the oceano dunes are huge and they have done a great job keeping the dunes open. I believe that they have actually opened some more up, ( I am not sure). The best thing you can do is get involved. Educate people that go to oceano to clean up after themselves and others, stay out of closed areas, and try and perserve the habitat. This will keep them open. The sierra club and others are always out there watching.

[Bo Neece]

I spoke to a ranger last week who said that he was instrumental in helping to keep a large part of the dunes open years ago. According to him the main reason for closure was the farmers in Guadalupe Valley. When vegetation is uprooted by vehicles and the sand then migrates with the wind. This was happening and covering crop fields with sand. Farmers probably have a little more pull that occasional dune users.

[crusty1007]

yeah ive lived here for 24 years about a mile and a half east of the dunes. (nipomo mesa)

i just think its funny the way they try to propagate plants out there, you wonder why in the h*ll is the state spending money on tractor equipment and time to plant seeds of weeds in a SAND DUNE area, i mean to the point of laying down beds of straw on top to get them not to blow away, and watering?.... .

as for the plover i thought that those sum biatches were found to live in the inland/ desert also and were not found to be native of the beach. but maybe im mistaken. the funny part is with oso flaco being rite behind the dune area, its a natural breeding ground for all kinds of predators... that would like nothing more than to mow down a plover.... and how much coast line does the sierra club require to be shut down...? i mean in lompoc they already have the beach's closed down to everyone and everythings access, wich is only 20 or so miles down the coast from pismo, im confused?

[Hottrod81]

Originally Posted by Bo Neece

I spoke to a ranger last week who said that he was instrumental in helping to keep a large part of the dunes open years ago. According to him the main reason for closure was the farmers in Guadalupe Valley. When vegetation is uprooted by vehicles and the sand then migrates with the wind. This was happening and covering crop fields with sand. Farmers probably have a little more pull that occasional dune users.

The real problem is the Sierra Club in that area. They try to get the dunes closed for whatever. Believe it or not, a huge source of the money donated from to the Friends of the Oceano Dunes comes from San Joaquin Valley farmers and dairymen. Many of the people that frequent the dunes are from the Central Valley and if the dunes were to ever close, Pismo Beach would be like a ghost town. Many people would be without jobs.

[crusty1007]

i know for a fact that people would be out of work.. when i was younger i worked for BJ's ATV and Angellos ATV.. oh and the Notorious Jhon Muir wanna be BILL DENINE a real A-HOLE ive seen him and other sierra club members walk about 15 wide down the beach trying to piss people off. but also i think some of the problem seems to be that a lot of elderly people are moving here for retirement and complaining of the noise... so i wouldnt doubt if you saw heftier noise restrictions also....

edit: another thing is all the AHOLEs that go out to comp and burn everything including atvs... & leaving it behind along with all their trash on the beach.... funny how hard it seems for people to put there trash in a dumpster that sits on the beach that is provided by the state. sad sad sad

[megolfer]

Ya I have seen it way to much, people do not know how to pick up trash. There is really nothing that can be done to stop people from doing this, but I always pick up my trash and any other trash I see. People dont realize that going in the closed area, leaving trash and destroying vegitation is what gets trails, OVH shut down.

[pismojim]

Originally Posted by crusty1007

so i was wondering what i could do about keeping my local dune area open and or growing....

i know it was closed down to less than half of its original size in 1982... and then after that, it has been a little here a little there...

everytime they put up new fences around plants they get bigger and bigger and bigger... then they talk about fatalitys and injuries... is this a joke?

The Oceano Dunes are seeing record amounts of people in a continually smaller area.

what can be done?
i see people like the blue ribbon coalition and Friends of the oceano dunes (thanks for the help!) but in reality it seems as if the state parks is out to close it down and lose not only revenue but local jobs...

Crusty, you've already identified the primary group you need to work with - Friends of Oceano Dunes. Join up, meet them in person and attend their events, work parties, education efforts and support their legal activities (donations). Look for them by the SAR station at Sand Highway this holiday weekend. I'm sure you've seen their website:

http://www.oceanodunes.org/

But, the primary reason I'm posting is to correct your mis-statement that "State Parks is out to close it down". This is not the case. I'm confident the State park organization, management and especially its rangers do NOT want to shut down the OHV area. The fact is they are working hard to keep the park open by ensuring compliance with the rules and laws the park must operate under. Failure to operate under the laws will get the park shut down. They need our (your) help or at least your sympathy.

As a local you're well aware of the stupid, illegal and absolutely uncessary activities that happen all too often on the dunes. Most of this has nothing to do with Off Highway Vehicles or enthusiasts. From my observations it the under age partiers and the free for all holiday weekend crowd. It doesn't have anything to do with wheeling, cylcing or ATVs. I'm sure you know what I mean.

Guess what, the Sierra Club is the biggest threat to access and they don't care one bit about these problems. It can only help their ultimate goal of closing down the dunes to public access as responsible users begin to avoid the area and irresponible people flock to it.

Finally, I wanted to give you another option to help out: contact the local rangers and ask about the State parks OHV volunteer program. Currently, there are about a dozen volunteers - yes, I'm one of them. You'll see me cruising the beach and dunes in my Land Cruiser sporting a magnetic "volunteer" sign on the doors. Other volunteers drive ATVs, buggies, or whatever. It's a great program and I have had countless postive experiences making "contacts" with the park users. Put another way, when a big, bearded, volunteer, driving a trail worn SOA cruiser on 36 swampers, suggests compliance with some common sense rules it usually goes over well - even with the most obnoxious idiots. I find most people know what they should be doing (or not doing) and just need to be reminded. Heck, they often thank me for saving them from a possible ticket or fine.

Keeping things under control is the best (only) way to keep the dunes open.

BTW, I'm sure the ancient, stubborn, and still kicking, Sierra Clubber, Billy D. cringes at the success of our efforts. He and his cohorts have no interest in seeing safe responsible family activity succeed at the dunes.

You know the old saying, if you're not part of the solution...

I look forwarding to seeing you on the beach!



Cheers,

[crusty1007]

pismo jim, man it urks me to see that after the sierra club sued is now getting a half million plus 50K a yr for 5 yrs? i call BULLSHIT. the money we pay to acces and use the beach is being put right back into the account that was originally funding the suit...

i have thought about volunteering as i know a couple of the rangers not very well though. from my days and nights towing vehicles out of the dunes for angello's and working for BJ's atv..... sometimes it gets old watching A holes trash the beach and put up there hoaky fences around there campsite...

and i dont believe its just the under age drinking crowd albeit alot of it, but theres still alot more OH enthuisiest not doing there part. either unaware or just dont give a $hit, im calling the later of the 2...

later,
Thean

white 94 YJ
black 97 TJ
blue 04 Rubi

[pismojim]

Thean,

Seriously, get in touch with the rangers and the Friends of Oceano Dunes. It won't change everything but you will make a difference. We are in this for the long haul.

I regretted my comment about the underage crowd as soon as I posted. It's not fair and I apologize. In fact, I think that problem is getting better lately.

You're right it's more likey the "unaware" or "don't give a $hit" crowd. The good news is by participating we can fix the "unaware" pretty easy. And, even the "don't give a $hits" will change due to our presence. Peer pressure and setting a good example can be a wonderfull thing.

[crusty1007]

pismo jim heres my # 431-0255

need anything let me know.

[Russ in California]

Do all you can boys or you'll end up with what we have up here on the North Coast. Black Sands in the Kings Range is closed to vehicles and now Clam Beach County Park will be closed to vehicles form April thru October. Reason: liars and enviros. The liars say there's speeding and danger for those on foot and the eviors sueing for the plover. Birds again(ie spotted owl and the muralete). People end up with no rights(except the criminals I guess).
The fact is the squeeky(lieing) wheels gets the grease and the rights over the majority. Bastids.
Good luck,

[crusty1007]

whats the world coming to.... confucious say:... outlaw guns and only oulaws will carry guns.... sad sad world. we need saving from ourselves?!

[pismojim]

The beach and dunes are OPEN !

Come Out And Play!!!

Celebrate 100 Years of Motorized Recreation on Beach !!!
October 20, 21, 22 2006



More Information

California State Parks invites everyone to “Come Out And Play!” at the Centennial Celebration of Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA)! With assistance from Friends of Oceano Dunes, we are celebrating 100 years of motorized recreation from Pismo Beach to Oceano Dunes! Formerly known as Pismo Dunes, Oceano Dunes SVRA has become the recreation destination for over 2.1 million people annually, and a mainstay of the local economy. For view a PDF regarding this historic event, please click here. We invite you to join us for a weekend that will be thrilling for people of all ages, interests and experience levels!

And, if that's not enough...

Don't forget the Annual Coastal Clean-up happens every year the third weekend in September.

Come help pick up trash. No better time then the end of this busy summer. This is the annual coastal cleanup that is all over the state. FOD will be meeting at 9am Saturday Sept 16th at pole 4 1/2 - the entrance to Sandhighway. Bring the kids!! If weather permits, Bob and his clan from Santa Maria will be BBQ'ing hotdogs at noon.

There will also be a raffle in Pismo that afternoon for participants. Here's a link with more info...

http://www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/ccd/ccd.html

See you there!

[crusty1007]

thanks for the info. definatly will check it out.

[66cummins]

Originally Posted by crusty1007

sometimes it gets old watching A holes trash the beach and put up there hoaky fences around ther campsites

I don't trash the beach but I guess I am one of the aholes that puts up flagging around my camp..

[crusty1007]

Originally Posted by 66cummins

I don't trash the beach but I guess I am one of the aholes that puts up flagging around my camp..

well my #'s in a previous post give me a call and you can help us pick the SHEIT up!

im gonna laugh when state parks puts a stop to putting the flagging up..... 50% of the time it is left on the beach..... along with the rest of the trash.... not only that you cant get into the dunes except 3 places on a big weekend (because of said campers and flagging)..... just an obvious observation.

[kf6zpl]

I like it when people start getting the message that in order to keep areas open, they need to be involved.

As a rather big proponant for keeping wheeling opportunities available, one of the BIGGEST efforts everyone could do to accomplish real change is at the polls in November.

Just think, if the incumbent one-party political system in California were sent a wake up call that the people want change, what would happen??

CA State Parks (actually, the OHMVR Division) is working very hard to keep Oceano Dunes open.

They are working to keep many state OHV areas open.

If you want change, get involved and vote for canidates that do not accept funds from the environmental movement.

You can make a difference with your wallet, your vote, and your partiicpation.

[66cummins]

Crusty,
I always pick up what I put out and what gets left behind by others near my camp.I am a firm believer in leaving access points from the beach to the dunes! I can't tell you how many times we have gotten into arguments with people that pull up and block off this area.Not to mention blocking the access to your camp.We try to put up some flagging and circle the wagons to help keep the crazies from driving through camp and hitting one of the kids.I don't see anything wrong with flagging a "reasonably" sized area,But pick up the flagging and any other trash you bring..This topic has been beat pretty hard over at friends of oceano dunes..

[crusty1007]

66cummins,

ill cruise over there and check the forums! yea it does suck that the nut jobs go flying through the camps.but its just a bit absured that people like to take up the equivelant of 2 acres i could understand marking around the trailers to keep people from running through and killing kids in the sand but when you fence off a ;private ride area; for kids where does it stop? maybe they need an area by sand highway thats fenced in for just the kids learning to wheel around on there atvs? you go to any other camp ground in the U.S. and they give you a 30-50' Long x 20' wide area for you campsite. maybe if there was organization of the campsites on the beach they wouldnt have people ripping through areas taped off?
. although what i propose here sounds alot easier than actually is i know getting a trailer in and out of the sand is a real PITA. so there will continually be caos on the beach camping and there will be less and less campsites, because a visual of the beach would indicate there is no more room.

[crusty1007]

IF YOU ARE CONCERNED WITH THE TRASH AND CAUTION TAPE HERE IS THE LINK:



http://www.oceanodunes.org/index.php...ewtopic&t=1480

[66cummins]

Thats the one