Planning Issues In Depth

Everyone Wants to Play in the Sand… but APCD’s Ad Hoc Committees May Favor Expediency over the Brown Act

BY MATT FOUNTAIN, NEW TIMES, JULY 28, 2010

When it comes to the often contentious battle over off-roading at the Oceano Dunes, residents of the Nipomo Mesa and recreational riders rarely find common ground. On July 28, however, the two sides were able to agree on something: They want to be involved.

The Air Pollution Control District Board of Directors at its July 28 meeting unanimously passed a memorandum to establish two ad-hoc committees to structure a Particulate Matter Reduction Plan (PMRP) for the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area.

A February 2010 study by the APCD found particulate matter (PM) emissions to be significant contributors to above-average ambient PM levels in the area surrounding Oceano and the Nipomo Mesa.

The memorandum provides for the establishment of a so-called Technical Advisory Committee, which will be responsible for preparing the scope of the plan and will include two representatives from the county and state parks, as well as a yet-to-be-determined outside technical expert. A Management Oversight Committee also formed, responsible for reviewing and approving all work by the Technical Advisory Committee for submittal to the district.

The problem: The committees, as drafted in the staff report, would be closed to the public and, according to county counsel, exempt from the Brown Act. That advice didn’t sit well with those in attendance.

FULL STORY HERE: http://www.newtimesslo.com/news/4747/everyone-wants-access-to-dunes-committees/

This entry was posted on Friday, July 30th, 2010 at 4:38 pm and is filed under: Air.