Off-roaders, environmentalists face off at popular California state park
OCEANO, Calif. - For generations, off-road vehicle riders have flocked to this windy stretch of the Central Coast to camp on the shore, build bonfires in the sand, and gun their engines in the only state park in California that allows motor vehicles on the beach and dunes.
And for nearly as long, the surfside playground of Oceano Dunes has generated anger among residents and conservationists, who complain that off-roaders have crushed endangered species beneath their wheels, disrupted sensitive habitat and sent clouds of unhealthy dust billowing into their neighborhoods.
Now, the staff of California's powerful Coastal Commission is saying enough is enough.
On Thursday, the commission will consider a staff recommendation to begin phasing out off-highway vehicle use at one of the state's busiest parks - a proposal that is reigniting long-running debate over beach access, and whose interests deserve protection.
On one side of the battle
