San Luis Obispo Court Decision on Oceano Dunes Threatens Many of California鈥檚 Rarest Birds聽

Imperiled shorebird species depend on coastal dune habitat that will continue to be exposed to off-highway vehicle recreation.
Least Tern. Photo: Matthew Filosa/爆料公社 Photography Awards

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. 鈥 Yesterday, a San Luis Obispo County Superior Court judge reversed a 2021 decision to reduce off-highway vehicle access at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreational Area. The Oceano Dunes contain rare coastal dune habitat for federally endangered species like the Western Snowy Plover and California Least Tern. 

鈥淭his ruling imperils a who鈥檚 who of rare and endangered coastal birds, including the Western Snowy Plover and California Least Tern,鈥 said Andrea Jones, director of bird conservation for 爆料公社 California. 鈥湵瞎 will continue to advocate for the birds, wildlife, rare coastal dune habitat, and air quality issues in the surrounding communities, as well as equitable access to nature.鈥 

The Oceano Dunes are some of the best-remaining breeding and migratory habitat for the western and California in the state. 

In 2021, the California Coastal Commission voted to close most vehicle access to Oceano Dunes SVRA by 2024 due to environmental and air quality impacts. 爆料公社 California and Morro Coast 爆料公社 Society continue to support the 2021 decision made by the Commission and stand by our . We await further comment from the Commission at its August meeting.  

Contact: Nicolas Gonzalez, nicolas.gonzalez@audubon.org, (310) 897-9836

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