ACTION ALERT: NOAA Is Reviewing the California Coastal Commission — Make Your Voice Heard!
Read
the official U.S. Department of Commerce announcement: Here
CORVA
Action Alert & additional background information: Here
For years, many in California's off-highway vehicle (OHV) community have watched as access to our public lands has steadily diminished through increasingly restrictive policies. Now, we have an opportunity to help shape the future of coastal recreation.
The U.S. Department of Commerce has directed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct a full formal review of California's Coastal Management Program, including the actions of the California Coastal Commission (CCC) under the
federal Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA).
For the thousands of families who enjoy Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA), this review is an opportunity to ensure federal officials hear directly from the people who use and value these public lands—not just from organizations seeking
to eliminate motorized recreation.
Why This Matters
Congress created the Coastal Zone Management Act to accomplish multiple objectives—not simply environmental protection.
The law directs coastal programs to:
- Protect coastal resources.
- Balance environmental protection with economic development.
- Consider transportation, energy, ports, public access, and recreation.
- Coordinate with federal agencies.
- Support orderly development that serves the public interest.
NOAA's responsibility is to evaluate whether California's Coastal Management Program is fulfilling these statutory responsibilities.
Many in the OHV community believe the California Coastal Commission has increasingly prioritized restrictions while giving insufficient consideration to public recreation, local economies, and the multiple-use principles Congress intended.
Oceano Dunes Is More Than an OHV Area
Oceano Dunes is unlike any other recreation destination in California.
It is:
- California's only driveable beach.
- The state's only beach-front State Vehicular Recreation Area.
- A destination enjoyed by generations of families.
- A major tourism driver for Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, Oceano, and the entire Central Coast.
- An economic engine supporting local businesses, hotels, restaurants, campgrounds, fuel stations, and hundreds of jobs.
Millions of dollars flow into the local economy because visitors come specifically to experience Oceano Dunes. When access is reduced, local businesses, employees, and entire communities feel the impact. When access is reduced, local businesses feel the
impact almost immediately.
Conservation and Recreation Can Coexist
One of the most overlooked facts is that Oceano Dunes demonstrates recreation and conservation can successfully coexist.
Under California State Parks' management:
- The Western Snowy Plover breeding population has increased from approximately 30 adults in 2002 to more than 200 breeding adults in 2024.
- Extensive habitat restoration and biological monitoring are funded in part through California's OHV Program.
- Seasonal closures, protective fencing, education programs, predator management, and law enforcement have all contributed to this conservation success.
- Thousands of OHV enthusiasts volunteer their time to protect and improve public lands.
These facts show that responsible recreation and wildlife conservation are not mutually exclusive.
Your Voice Matters
Too often, only organizations advocating for additional restrictions submit comments during government reviews.
Meanwhile, the families, veterans, volunteers, business owners, outdoor enthusiasts, and everyday Californians who actually recreate at Oceano Dunes remain silent.
This is your opportunity to change that.
NOAA needs to hear from the people who understand the value of Oceano Dunes—not only as a recreation area, but as a model for balancing conservation, recreation, local economies, and public access.
Share your personal experiences.
Tell NOAA:
- Why Oceano Dunes matters to your family.
- How the SVRA supports local businesses and jobs.
- Why California's only driveable beach should remain accessible.
- How recreation and conservation have successfully coexisted.
- Why public access should remain an important component of coastal management.
Personal stories are often the most influential comments agencies receive.
TAKE ACTION TODAY!
NOAA is accepting written public comments as part of its formal evaluation of California's Coastal Management Program.
Email Your Comments To:
czma.california-evaluation@noaa.gov
Subject Line:
Comments on Performance Evaluation of the California Coastal Management Program
Deadline:
Friday, August 22, 2026
11:59 p.m. Pacific Time
Don't wait until the last minute. A thoughtful, respectful comment explaining why Oceano Dunes matters to you can make a meaningful difference.
Whether you've camped there for decades, introduced your children or grandchildren to the outdoors, volunteered on stewardship projects, or simply believe public lands should remain accessible,
your voice deserves to be heard.
Need
additional background before submitting your comments? Read CORVA's full Action Alert: Here
Protect OHV Access
This review is about more than Oceano Dunes.
It is about ensuring California's coastal management program reflects the intent of Congress by balancing environmental protection with recreation, economic vitality, public access, and responsible multiple-use management.
The OHV community has invested millions of dollars into conservation, habitat restoration, safety education, law enforcement, and stewardship. We have demonstrated that responsible recreation can be part of the solution.
Now it's time to participate.
Submit your comments. Share your story. Encourage your friends and family to do the same.
Together, we can help ensure that the future of Oceano Dunes—and public access throughout California's coast—is guided by sound science, balanced management, and the voices of the people who cherish these lands.
Protect OHV Access. Protect Oceano Dunes. Make Your Voice Heard.
For years, many in California's off-highway vehicle (OHV) community have watched as access to our public lands has steadily diminished through increasingly restrictive policies. Now, we have an opportunity that could help shape the future of coastal recreation.
The U.S. Department of Commerce has directed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct a
full formal review of California's Coastal Management Program, including the actions of the California Coastal Commission (CCC) under the federal Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA).
For the thousands of families who enjoy Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA), this review represents an important opportunity to ensure that federal officials hear directly from the public—not just from organizations seeking
to eliminate recreational access.
Why This Matters
Congress created the Coastal Zone Management Act to accomplish multiple objectives—not simply environmental protection.
The law directs coastal programs to:
- Protect coastal resources.
- Balance environmental protection with economic development.
- Consider transportation, energy, ports, public access, and recreation.
- Coordinate with federal agencies.
- Support orderly development that serves the public interest.
NOAA's responsibility is to evaluate whether state coastal programs are fulfilling these statutory responsibilities.
For many in the OHV community, the concern has been that the California Coastal Commission has increasingly emphasized one side of that balance while giving insufficient weight to public recreation, local economies, and multiple-use management.
Conservation and Recreation Can Coexist
One of the most frustrating aspects of the ongoing debate is that the facts often demonstrate that recreation and conservation are not mutually exclusive.
At Oceano Dunes:
- Snowy Plover populations have increased dramatically under State Parks management.
- Extensive habitat restoration and monitoring programs are funded in part through California's OHV Program.
- Seasonal closures, fencing, biological monitoring, public education, and law enforcement have become standard practice.
- Thousands of volunteers contribute countless hours toward stewardship and habitat protection.
The off-road community has repeatedly demonstrated that responsible recreation and wildlife conservation can work together.
Yet despite these conservation successes, Oceano Dunes continues to face repeated lawsuits and regulatory actions that seek additional restrictions or closures.
Why Public Participation Matters
Too often, decisions affecting public recreation are influenced by a relatively small number of organizations that consistently participate in public comment opportunities.
Meanwhile, the families, veterans, volunteers, small business owners, outdoor enthusiasts, and everyday Californians who actually use these public lands remain silent.
That needs to change.
NOAA needs to hear from people who understand the value of Oceano Dunes—not only as a recreation area, but as a model for balanced public land management that supports conservation, local economies, and public access.
Your voice matters.
Whether you've camped at Oceano Dunes for decades, own a local business, volunteer for trail stewardship, or simply believe public lands should remain accessible for responsible recreation, this is your opportunity to speak up.
What Should You Share?
When NOAA opens the public comment process, consider sharing:
Your family's history of enjoying Oceano Dunes.
- The economic importance of the SVRA to Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, and surrounding communities.
- The importance of maintaining California's only driveable beach.
- Examples of responsible recreation and stewardship you've witnessed.
- Why recreation and conservation should continue to coexist through science-based management.
- Why public access should remain an important consideration alongside environmental protection.
Personal stories are often the most powerful comments agencies receive.
Protect OHV Access
This review is bigger than Oceano Dunes.
It is about ensuring that California's coastal management program reflects the intent of Congress by balancing environmental protection with recreation, economic vitality, public access, and responsible multiple-use management.
For decades, the OHV community has invested millions of dollars into conservation, habitat restoration, law enforcement, safety education, and stewardship. We have proven that responsible recreation can be part of the solution.
Now it's time to make sure NOAA hears from the people whose voices have too often been missing.
When the opportunity to comment opens, don't assume someone else will speak for you.
Stand up. Participate. Tell your story.
Together, we can help ensure that the future of Oceano Dunes—and public access throughout California's coast—is guided by sound science, balanced management, and the voices of the people who cherish these lands.
Protect OHV Access. Protect Oceano Dunes. Make Your Voice Heard.