Nipomo air pollution linked to offroad vehicles at Oceano Dunes

A report released today says that off-road vehicles on the Oceano Dunes are a major contributing factor to pollution on the Nipomo Mesa.

The much anticipated report is once again sparking debate.

A 2004 report showed that the air quality on the Nipomo Mesa Area was at unhealthy levels. But why?
Many have pointed to the off-road vehicles at the dunes.

Now a second report from the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District is pointing in that same direction.

"Their (off-road vehicles) action on the dunes that breaks the crust and doesn't allow vegetation to grow, which are two prominent features in trying to stabilize the undisturbed dune areas that we found," Larry Allen the executive director of the Air Pollution Control District said.

Kevin Rice says he has been using the Oceano Dunes for years, and the reason the place became so popular in the first place is because there was no vegetation there. He also feels the report is seriously flawed.

"They're comparing apples and oranges because they put a measuring device near an area that had vegetation, and a measuring device near the recreation area that had less vegetation, and we're surprised to find that there's more blowing dust where there's less vegetation," Rice said.

Others say even if the off-road vehicles are the cause of the increased particulate matter, with California's economic troubles the state can't afford to shut down the dunes.

"It's a recreation that is millions and millions of dollars, and it provides millions of dollars for this Pismo area," Gilbert Slaughter who has been coming to the dunes since the early 70's said.

"It can cause aggravated asthma symptoms, bronchitis, bring on early onset of asthma," Allen said about the potential health concerns of high particulate matter.

The air pollution control district says it does not have any official recommendations on what to do but it will be presenting the reports' findings to its board and discussing it further.

The air pollution control district will host a public workshop to discuss the report March 3 at the South County Regional Center at 6:00 p.m.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• ksby
• ksby news
• ksby.com
• oceano dunes
• off-road vehicles
• pollution
• Nipomo Mesa

[redrider250r]

this is such bullshit

[fishman456]

one of the most embarrasing things in slo county

[slowmotion4x4]

But the wind has nothing to do with it. Make Nells lawn the first you take a drive on please

[pixuma]

@nikonasty I agree! such fucking BS!

i almost wanna see them close the dunes down just so i can watch us duners tear up their lawns

[nikonasty]

B.S !!!!!