ORBA Leads coalition to save OHV at Oceano Dunes

Court of Appeal Rules Against Coastal Commission, Protects OHV Use at Oceano Dunes

A court has ruled that the California Coastal Commission exceeded its jurisdiction in March 2021 when it ordered the California Department of Parks and Recreation to end off-highway vehicle (OHV) use at Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area (ODSVRA) near Pismo Beach.

"This is a major victory for off-road recreation," said ORBA CEO Fred Wiley. "We’re fighting to keep OHV lands open for future generations, and every dollar of support counts. There's still more work ahead—we're taking the fight to Moab next."

The court found that the Commission’s attempt to ban OHV use conflicted with the County of San Luis Obispo’s Local Coastal Program (LCP), which explicitly permits such recreation at ODSVRA. Under the California Coastal Act, county LCPs—not the Coastal Commission’s preferences—determine allowable activities within coastal zones.

This decision follows nearly four years of litigation led by ORBA with Friends of Oceano Dunes, EcoLogic Partners, and the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), who successfully argued that the Commission's 2021 action violated the Coastal Act.

The ruling confirms that OHV recreation at ODSVRA is lawful under the County LCP and the Coastal Act. The Coastal Commission can either accept the decision or appeal to the California Supreme Court, which reviews only about 3% of cases.

Please join ORBA in the fight to keep our OHV lands open. Our battle is funded through memberships and donations. offroadbusiness.org

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