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Time to stop the devastation at the Oceano Dunes

July 13, 2026

OPINION by MATT STEPHENS

Having lived in San Luis Obispo County for more than 25 years, I continue to be astonished at the ongoing community support for the madness occurring year-round at Oceano Dunes by mostly out-of-area RV owners who, contrary to recent news, do not bring any significant benefit to this community.

Rather, our county and state continue to allow this devastation on a daily basis that destroys wildlife habitat and causes significant harm to nearby residents due to dangerous blowing dust, airborne particulates, and uncontrolled ATVs. We have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world but, sadly, Grover Beach and Oceano can no longer be counted among them.

Where are the environmentalists who have tirelessly worked for many decades now to preserve the treasured California coastline to be enjoyed for generations to come?

Let’s not keep supporting businesses, that benefit only a handful of business owners, but put the health of our citizens, beaches, and wildlife in jeopardy.

The time has long past that we should put an end to this insanity.

 


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2 Comments

So…. The dunes are home to hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts that play there every year.

They come from all over the state to this park to play. As they should. We have an abundance of beautiful beaches in the rest of the area where we can play without vehicles. Personally I like Montana de Oro, Morro Bay strand and Cayucos and Avila….

Will the Whiners ever get tired of all the handwringing and pearl clutching about the Dunes?!

…Probably not.


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I continue to be astonished at those who think the “dangerous blowing dust and airborne particulates” are solely caused by ATV’s, when the strong on-shore winds have been blowing the fine talcum powder sand inland for millennia…forming the Nipomo Mesa and surrounding hills. Oh, and the Chumash didn’t drive four-wheelers that I’m aware of. But they did use the natural tar seepage (pismo) to waterproof their boats, and I’m pretty sure there weren’t any offshore oil rigs to blame then. Finally, those “endangered” snowy plovers that populate the entire west coast taste mighty good roasted on a spit over a fire pit on the beach. Now that’s living!


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