American Sand Association
California Oceano Dunes in Jeopardy
Help Protect Riding OHVs
at the Oceano Dunes
Canyon Country, CA (5/17/2011)
- The Friends of Oceano Dunes have asked that we
help spread the word on the proposed plan by the
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) to designate
a large portion of the Oceano Dunes SVRA in Pismo
Beach, California as critical habitat for the Snow
Plover which would eliminate OHV activity and would
greatly affect access to the dunes.
Comments on the proposed plan must be received
by 5/23/11. The
Friends of Oceano Dunes have drafted a letter
for OHV enthusiasts to
send to USFWS:
SUGGESTED LETTER:
Public Comments Processing,
Attn: FWS-R8-ES-2010-0070
Division of Policy and Directives Management
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222
Arlington, VA 22203
Re: Opposition to Inclusion of Oceano Dunes SVRA
in the Critical
Habitat Designation for the Western Snowy Plover
Dear Fish and Wildlife Service:
I OPPOSE designating Oceano Dunes SVRA as plover
critical habitat. It
should remain excluded for economic reasons as
it has been for the
past 6 years without harm to the plover.
I am a frequent visitor to Oceano Dunes SVRA
in Pismo Beach,
California, where I enjoy one of the most unique
off-roading
experiences in the world. I have just learned
that the Fish and
Wildlife Service is proposing to declare a significant
part of Oceano
Dunes to be "critical" habitat for the
western snowy plover.
I am confused by this proposal since I know that
in 2005 the Service
specifically excluded Oceano Dunes from plover
critical habitat
because of the severe impacts such a regulation
would have on the
local and regional economy in San Luis Obispo
County. Miles of riding
area have already been off-limits to off-road
recreation even though
this is not critical habitat. The plover seems
to be thriving with all
of the conservation measures that State Parks
currently has in place.
I understand that State Parks is planning even
more. In light of all
this, what additional benefit can adding the critical
habitat
regulation have? It seems like it will just be
used by extremists to
try to shut down the park to off-road recreation.
Sincerely,
Sign Name: *______________________________ Date*
_________
Print Name:* ______________________________
Address: *________________________________
City *____________ State:* _______ Zip* ____
*REQUIRED
The American Sand Association
Unite, Inform, and Mobilize
Please DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL. Instead...
Please direct questions or comments to:
The aSa Board of Directors
About the American
Sand Association
The American Sand Association is a non-profit
organization of approximately 34,000 members dedicated
to preserving the use of public lands for sand
sport enthusiasts' use, improving OHV safety and
promoting responsible land use. The aSa is a volunteer
organization and it relies on the financial support
of sand sport enthusiasts and small businesses.
Most of the members are family-oriented, have
a rich family history going back for generations
enjoying the sand sport; and most have a significant
financial investment in their equipment, gear
and campers. Additional information can be found
on the aSa web-site at: www.americansandassociation.org
About The BlueRibbon
Coalition
The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation
group that champions responsible recreation, and
encourages individual environmental stewardship.
With members in all 50 states, BRC is focused
on building enthusiast involvement with organizational
efforts through membership, outreach, education,
and collaboration among recreationists. 1-800-BlueRib
- http://www.sharetrails.org
www.americansandassociation.org
P.O. Box 1872
Canyon Country, CA 91386
(888) 540-7263
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