Potential changes are on the horizon at the Oceano Dunes.
That's the topic of discussion during next week's California Coastal Commission meeting.
On October 8, State Parks and the Natural Resources Agency will provide an update to the Coastal Commission on its public works plan for the future of the popular off-roading site.
"It's going to have specific projects that they want to implement and they want the commission to certify this public works plan and essentially approve them or preapprove them," explained Dan Carl, California Coastal Commission Central Coast District Director.
It'll also cover off-highway vehicle and vehicle activity in the years to come.
The plan will replace a coastal permit from the early 80s which currently governs the park's use.
Most recently, in August, the Commission met with State Parks and informed them that it intended to recommend "to phase out OHV use over the next 5 years, and act to modify uses."
"But also that there would be a new car camping area on the beach, vehicular activity on the beach established at the northern part of the park," Carl said.
He said State Parks wanted more time to work on the plans and no action will be taken during next Thursday's meeting.
Community members, like Jared Macleod, Vice President of Friends of Oceano Dunes, plan to share their opinions during public comment.
He's calling on State Parks to take a stand against the Coastal Commission.
"They need to defend our park and they need to reopen Oceano Dunes immediately," Macleod said.
A draft of the public works plan is not yet available.
It will likely go before the Commission for action sometime early next year.
We reached out to State Parks for this story but have not yet heard back.
The Coastal Commission will receive the status report on the Dunes' public works plan during its second day of meetings on Thursday, Oct. 8. The meeting will be held virtually. Click here for the full agenda and link to watch live.
In a statement, State Parks told KSBY News, "State Parks looks forward to providing a status report to the California Coastal Commission and the public on the progress of a public works plan (PWP) for Pismo State Beach and Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, which includes next steps for the plan. A PWP is a long-range land use management plan for compliance with the California Coastal Act that is reviewed and certified by the California Coastal Commission. For details on the PWP, please visit www.ohv.parks.ca.gov/OceanoDunes [ohv.parks.ca.gov]."
