Federal Judge Enforces Settlement Minimizing Oceano Dunes Closure; Friends of Oceano Dunes Instrumental in Defending Public's Right to Access.News Editors OCEANO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 23, 2003 Friends of Oceano Dunes, a non-profit multi-use organization, announced today that they, along with the California Off Road Vehicle Organization (CORVA CORVA California Off Road Vehicle Association (Sacramento, CA) ) and California State Parks This is a list of state parks and reserves in the California state park system. Jump to: External links A : Top - 0–9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
pl.n. (used with a sing. or pl. verb) 1. People or society at a local level rather than at the center of major political activity. Often used with the. 2. The groundwork or source of something. organization, the Environmental Defense Center (EDC EDC See: Export Development Corp. ) and California State Parks; Friends of Oceano Dunes successfully fought Sierra Club attempts to completely close the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (ODSVRA ODSVRA Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (California) ) to public vehicle access. In November 2001, the Sierra Club, represented by the EDC, filed suit against State Parks for non-compliance with the Endangered Species Act The federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) (16 U.S.C.A. §§ 1531 et seq.) was enacted to protect animal and plant species from extinction by preserving the ecosystems in which they survive and by providing programs for their conservation. . Complicating the matter was the unfortunate situation of State Parks losing an Incidental Take Permit issued through the Army Corps of Engineers. The unavoidable loss of the permit created an extremely vulnerable situation for State Parks where the entire beach could have been closed to public access. The settlement will provide State Parks breathing room while they complete their Habitat Conservation To conserve habitat life for wild species and prevent their extinction or reduction in range is a priority of a great many groups that cannot be easily characterized in terms of any one ideology. Plan (HCP HCP, n healthcare provider, a professional who specializes in treating and managing a person's general or specific health needs. ), which is required to restore the permit. Completion of the HCP is anticipated in 2004. The settlement calls for an interim, temporary beach closure to milepost six until the HCP is approved. This most recent beach closure is meant to protect the Western Snowy Plover however it will also prevent camping, fishing, hiking, walking, kite flying, equestrians and vehicle access. "We could have lost the entire park, and once it is gone we would never get it back," said Jim Suty, president of Friends of Oceano Dunes. "Although the settlement does result in a temporary expanded beach exclosure ex·clo·sure n. 1. An area of land enclosed by a barrier, such as a fence, to protect vegetation and prevent grazing by animals. 2. The practice of fencing off an area to protect vegetation. , it enabled us to get the lawsuit dropped entirely -- this is definitely a victory for our side. This now gives us the opportunity to get out of the defensive mode and start aggressively fighting to give the park back to the people," he added. Ed Waldheim, president of CORVA endorsed Jim's comments and added, "Although it required the legal system to protect the public's access, responsible recreationists and environmentalists can take solace that both humans and other species were given their day in court." As part of the settlement, State Parks also committed to look at expanding riding opportunity in the back dunes area, as well as to establish plover plover (plŭv`ər), common name for some members of the large family Charadriidae, shore birds, small to medium in size, found in ice-free lands all over the world. habitat in the already closed areas near Oso Flaco Lake and in the southern portion of the park to help minimize future beach closures in open riding areas. "Although we wish we didn't have to give an inch, the implications of not negotiating could have been disastrous for park visitors. The judge in the case could have unilaterally ordered a full closure, which was likely considering State Parks didn't have a permit," said Suty. Don Klusman, California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs, ".... complimented State Parks for its efforts to make ODSVRA users part of the difficult settlement process." The agreement will take effect after the July 4th holiday. State Parks will be releasing details to the public in advance of the holiday to prepare visitors for changes in park management resulting from the settlement. About Friends of Oceano Dunes Friends of Oceano Dunes, a 501(c)(3) California Not-for-profit Public Benefit Corporation, is the first organization of its kind to include representation from all forms of responsible recreation. Over twenty-seven thousand strong, the group's membership is comprised of local residents, business owners, equestrians, surfers, fishermen, off-roaders, elderly and disabled; all of which enjoy the benefits and usage of the Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area (ODSVRA). Friends of Oceano Dunes is headquartered in Oceano, California, 805/788-4926, www.oceanodunes.org. The Friends of Oceano Dunes logo, Friends of Oceano Dunes and Access for All are trademarks of Friends of Oceano Dunes. |
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