(Photo credit: Don Amador)
California Supreme Court’s Decision Ensures Continued OHV Use at Oceano Dunes
On July 9, the California Supreme Court declined to hear the California Coastal Commission’s appeal seeking to ban off-highway vehicle (OHV) access at Oceano Dunes, effectively upholding the previous ruling by the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court in favor of continued recreation at the popular state vehicular recreation area.
The lower Court stated: “The Commission’s attempt to ban OHV use at Oceano Dunes contradicts the plain language of the certified [Local Coastal Plan (LCP)]. Such a ban thus amounts to amending the LCP, a power reserved to the County.
“Here, we conclude the Commission did not have the authority to phase out OHV use by unilaterally amending the Oceano Dunes [development permit] because the LCP permits such use. The LCP states that one of its goals is to ‘maximize public recreational opportunities’ — including OHV use — at Oceano Dunes.”
This marks a significant victory for Friends of Oceano Dunes, who have long opposed efforts to restrict vehicle access at the site, and for OHV enthusiasts statewide. The Court’s decision not to hear the case reaffirms that only San Luis Obispo County, through its Local Coastal Plan, has the authority to make such changes – not the Commission.
“This decision confirms that the Coastal Commission overstepped,” said Scott Schloegel, MIC senior vice president of Government Relations. “We’ve supported efforts to keep Oceano Dunes SVRA open and accessible, but it’s the Friends of Oceano Dunes who’ve done the heavy lifting in court. Their continued commitment has helped protect an important part of California’s OHV access.”
Oceano Dunes SVRA is one of California’s most visited OHV destinations. A recent study found that visitors from outside San Luis Obispo County generate more than $500 million in annual economic impact – critical support for local hotels, restaurants and small businesses.
The Trump Administration Issues Executive Order on Public Lands
In July, President Trump issued an executive order establishing the Make America Beautiful Again Commission, calling it a “major step forward” in restoring access to public lands and ensuring the future of responsible outdoor recreation. The newly formed Commission, chaired by the Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, will provide actionable recommendations to the president.
The order directs federal land agencies—including the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service—to cut red tape, expand access for recreation, hunting, and fishing, and prioritize collaborative, voluntary conservation efforts. It also emphasizes the growing importance of the outdoor recreation economy, which generates more than $1.2 trillion in annual output and supports more than 5 million American jobs.
According to the Executive Order: “The Commission shall… develop policies to expand access to public lands, national parks, national forests and wildlife refuges while promoting a wide range of outdoor recreation opportunities like hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, skiing, climbing, boating, off-roading and wildlife viewing.”
The Restructuring of Federal Lands Management Efforts Continues
The Trump administration continues to progress rapidly in restructuring federal lands management and agency operations to be more effective and efficient. The plan for this restructuring was outlined in President Trump’s “Make America Beautiful Again” Executive Order issued July 3, which was a further step in the administration’s efforts to shift management activities out of Washington, D.C. Administration representatives have remained open to public concerns about challenges facing public lands and how they can be addressed. The outdoor recreation community is optimistic that these efforts will enable the EXPLORE Act’s vision of recreation to be fully realized.
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the model for restructuring the USDA and the US Forest Service on July 24. This model consolidates the management of the US Forest Service from nine regional offices into five regional offices, along with additional specialized offices. Some consolidation seems to have merged separate US Forest Service offices with Department of Agriculture offices in the area.
The agencies are also progressing with a management model that plays a larger role for states in managing public lands. Agencies would retain administrative decision-making, and state partners would voluntarily take on operational control of public lands, such as maintaining infrastructure.
On June 30, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte advanced a shared stewardship agreement in Montana following these announcements.