Oceano, CA -- After years of studies and negotiations over pollution coming off the Oceano Dunes, county air regulators took the first concrete action yesterday to force the State Parks Department to reduce the amount of dust from the Dunes. The county air pollution control board voted to move ahead with new regulations that could subject Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area to fines and other enforcement action if dust blowing off the park is not reduced in coming years.

Numerous board members assured the public that the board’s intention is not to shut down off-highway vehicle riding in the park, an activity that attracts nearly 1.6 million visitors annually. They also promised to be flexible in the 3½-year timeline the Parks Department has to implement a dust control program.