Board denies appeal on wind-monitoring stations in the Oceano Dunes SVRA

State Parks can construct wind-monitoring stations in the Oceano Dunes and on the Nipomo Mesa, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors ruled Tuesday.
The action is the latest in the debate over dust stirred up by off-road vehicles at the dunes and the impact on the Nipomo Mesa’s air quality.
With a 4-0 vote Tuesday, the county board denied appeals of the Planning Department’s approval of the project at a hearing in early December. Supervisor Frank Mecham, who represents the 1st District, was absent from Tuesday’s meeting.
Nipomo Mesa resident Katrina Dolinsky and longtime Oceano resident Terry Sweetland filed separate appeals of the approval that permits State Parks to build and operate five wind-and-air-quality-monitoring stations for two years.
Two of the 30-foot towers will be located within the open riding area at the
Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, two will be south of Oso Flaco Lake in the dunes area and one will be at the Cal Fire station on Willow Road in Nipomo.
State Parks is planning to use the data collected through the pilot program to supplement information contained in a scientific study released last year by the county Air Pollution Control District (APCD), according to officials.
“We feel it’s very important to have the wind towers up and use that data,” said Phil Jenkins, State Parks Off-Highway Vehicle Division deputy director.
The controversial APCD study draws a direct link between fugitive dust generated at the Oceano Dunes SVRA to increased particulate matter on the Nipomo Mesa.

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