Have an opinion on the Oceano Dunes? Here’s your chance to tell the State Parks director

People interested in the future of Pismo State Beach and Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area may want to attend a meeting with California Parks and Recreation Director Lisa Mangat on Thursday night in Pismo Beach.

State Parks says the meeting will provide a forum for the public to learn about a Public Works Plan and provide input to improve visitor experiences and recreational opportunities at the parks.

The forum comes at a time when air quality issues may impact the future of the Oceano Dunes, the last remaining California beach where you can drive off-highway vehicles. It serves about 2.1 million visitors a year.

Earlier this month, the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District convened a Hearing Board to consider taking action to close part of the park to off-roaders to abate dust that it says causes health and quality-of-life issues to communities downwind. That process will continue in a Hearing Board meeting scheduled Jan. 30, 2018.

The California Coastal Commission in September approved a five-year plan for State Parks to implement dust-mitigation efforts.

Mangat will give a presentation and then take public questions and comments. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at Ventana Grill, 2575 Price St.

Questions or comments can be emailed to pwpinfo@parks.ca.gov or call 916-324-5801.

This story was originally published November 28, 2017 at 6:45 PM with the headline "Have an opinion on the Oceano Dunes? Here’s your chance to tell the State Parks director."