The Oceano Dunes faces a significant closure as the holiday nears.
At a Nov. 18 San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District Hearing Board meeting, in an effort to improve air quality, members voted to adopt an order with "action items" that included the closure of the foredune area between Post 4-1/2 and 6.
Both agencies agreed the closure was necessary and sent a request to the California Coastal Commission to authorize the emergency permit. It did so in November.
That permit allows for the closures to occur between Tuesday and Jan. 1.
Now the area will no longer be available for camping and vehicle activity.
"Friends of the Oceano Dunes" has sent a letter protesting the immediate closure of 48 acres of camping.
California Department of Parks and Recreation is in charge of placing the physical barriers. Staff began fencing off 48 acres in order to meet the deadline, according to Gloria Sandoval with California Parks.
Those who frequent the Dunes are speaking out on social media upset with the decision, saying the closure lacks the consideration of visitors, businesses, and safety.
All current camping reservations will be honored. "There is plenty of camping north of Post 4-1/2 and south of Post 6," an email from California Parks read.
That email went on to point out the SVRA's off-highway vehicle riding area will not be impacted by the closure of the foredune area.
