Pismo Beach, CA -- The Pismo Beach City Council is sending a letter to county air officials raising concerns about plans to hold the State Parks Department responsible for unnatural amounts of dust blowing off Oceano Dunes. The letter urges the county Air Pollution Control District to delay adopting a rule that could subject Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area to fines of up to $1,000 a day. Council members said they favor a more collaborative approach.

Pismo Beach Councilman Ed Waage, who is also a member of the air district’s board of directors, has been a vocal critic of a scientific study done by the air district that linked dune riding in the park to unhealthy levels of dust on the Nipomo Mesa. Waage told The Tribune, “I’m concerned that, unless we get this right, we are going to end up in court.” State Parks officials have also found fault with the air study. They have requested using best management practices to reduce dust rather than enforceable rules.