Surfrider Foundation Disputes Claims of Financial Revenue Brought In By Oceano Dunes
OCEANO, Calif. (KEYT) - The SLO Surfrider Foundation is challenging claims about how much off-roading at the Oceano Dunes really contributes to the local economy.
Surfrider feels statistics in favor of off-roading are exaggerated.
When it comes to evaluating the benefits and drawbacks of off-roading at the Oceano Dunes, the impact on the local economy can't be ignored.
but not everyone agrees on the best numbers to use.
“I was very concerned about Mr. Suty quoting a study that was done in 2019 that said that off road folks brought in $500 million a year,” says Charles Varni, California Surfrider Foundation’s chairman.
The debate centers on economic studies used to measure the fiscal impact of off highway vehicle access at the park over the last decade.
“Those opposed to our form of recreation have fought unsuccessfully,” says Jim Suty, president of Friends Of Oceano Dunes. “They've never produced a detailed, peer reviewed study.”
Friends Of The Oceano Dunes, which is in favor of off-roading, touts the headline figure of a $511 million total economic impact by outside visitors to the Oceano Dunes in 2019.
“Spending by visitors to the Dunes originated from outside SLO Cal generated total economic impact of 511.2 mil,” says Suty. “I don't know how you misread that.”
But Charles Varni, chair of SLO Surfrider and an opponent of off-roading, points to a much smaller number outlined in the report.
“Those tourists who specifically focus on the Oceano Dunes state vehicle recreational area bring in an estimated $50 million,” says Varni.
Varni is citing a number that honed in on visitors who went specifically to the Dunes, while Suty is looking at all visitors who made the Dunes part of their visit to the central coast.
And the study in question did not focus on off-roaders.
“If we don't have vehicles on the beach, how is that going to shift the economy?” says Varni. “And recreational economists have plenty of research showing that beach tourists spend more money per capita than do off roading tourists.”
There is a CSU Fresno study that says people who visited the Dunes specifically for off-roading generated $349 million in total economic impact for slo county from 2022 through 2024.
“It is mind boggling the amount of money due to the visitors that are coming into the Oceano Dunes,” says Suty.
To evaluate conflicting financial statistics, the California Coastal Commission initiated third-party peer reviews of state economic analyses.
The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With The Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.
