SLO Superior Court rules against Coastal Commission’s vehicle access phase-out at Oceano Dunes
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif. – San Luis Obispo County Superior Court ruled on Thursday that the California Coastal Commission does not have the authority to prohibit motorized recreational and overnight camping access at Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area (SVRA).
The court determined that San Luis Obispo County's Local Coastal Program (LCP) governs activities at the SVRA under the Coastal Act and that the state-wide Coastal Commission lacked the authority to override the LCP which expressly allows motorized recreation at the SVRA.
Judge Tana Coates ruled in favor of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA); EcoLogic Partners, a legal collaboration amongst the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA), the American Sand Association (ASA), and the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) District 37; and Friends of Oceano Dunes.
| SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola said, “This is a hard-fought victory for the motorized recreation community and the millions of enthusiasts that recreate at Oceano Dunes each year. SEMA is proud to have supported this lawsuit and is committed protecting the right to responsibly recreate on California's coast and public lands throughout the country." |
