Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) Southern Exclosure Closure During the Non-Breeding Season 2025/26

The Southern Exclosure, a 300-acre area within the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area stretching from Post 6 to the North Oso Flaco Foredunes, will remain closed to all public access from October 1, 2025, through February 28, 2026, extending beyond its traditional seasonal closure period for western snowy plover nesting. This five-month non-breeding season closure is an operational decision made by the California Department of Parks and Recreation to enhance compliance with the Stipulated Order of Abatement issued by the San Luis Obispo Air Pollution Control District, allowing for the evaluation of habitat management strategies that balance conservation of sensitive shorebird habitat with the continued use of the area for motorized recreation. The closure is explicitly limited to this single season and is not intended to establish precedent for future operations or policy regarding the duration or extent of the exclosure. The California Department of Parks and Recreation, through its Oceano Dunes District, is the sole implementing entity, with no external contractors involved. Primary oversight and communication are handled by Ronnie Glick, Senior Environmental Scientist, who serves as the point of contact for inquiries and coordination. There are no financial figures, procurement clauses, or contractor obligations outlined, as this action is an internal environmental compliance measure under a Class 1 categorical exemption, not a competitive acquisition. The focus is on enforcing physical access restrictions, monitoring ecological impacts, and gathering data to refine future management approaches, with no new infrastructure, deliveries, or formal inspection protocols required.