Off-road enthusiasts score a legal victory in Oceano

Friends of the Oceano Dunes has won a legal victory against the California Coastal Commission in a quiet title lawsuit. 

The lawsuit argues that off-road vehicle enthusiasts have the right to continue driving and camping on portions of the Oceano Dunes because they have been recreating there for more than five years without objection or permission. 

The Coastal Commission argued that other historical uses of the dunes were more prevalent, but a judge rejected all of the state's arguments and set the case for trial in October 2023. 

State employee claims parks officials threatened new fines if they lose lawsuit

Ronnie Glick, a senior environmental scientist with California State Parks, testified that the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) threatened to impose new fines on State Parks if Friends of Oceano Dunes, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving off-highway vehicle recreation, wins a lawsuit against APCD. 

The lawsuit alleges that APCD spent money earmarked for off-highway vehicle recreation. Glick testified that APCD’s executive director, Gary Willey, said he would use the APCD’s “enforcement authority under Rule 1001 to assess fines” against State Parks.