environment help

Example 2: B level paper…No references cited

The Oceano Dunes are minutes away from where I grew up. The sand dunes are the largest remaining dune system south of San Fancisco and the second largest in California. The Dunes are located along a beautiful stretch of land that goes 18 miles along the coastline that extends from southern San Luis Obispo to northern Santa Barbra.  Its a very unique environment and because of the giant mounds of sand attracts many visitors. The Dunes are perfect for dirt bikers and people who enjoy off road vehicle use. The dunes also are the only area in California where people can legally drive on the beach. Every year two million people come to the dunes and tens of thousands of trucks and off-highway vehicles are driven on the Dunes. This is horrible for the environment and brings up a lot of controversy. No other location in San Luis Obispo and perhaps no other state park generates as many environmental impacts. The topics of controversy not only includes the delicate ecosystem but air quality and littering. 

One of the most worrisome conflicts concerning the Oceano Dunes is the air pollution. Nipomo Mesa is directly downwind of the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation area and it has the worst particulate pollution in the county. Larry Allen who is the San Luis Obispo county air pollution control officer says “ The Mesa is violating every state and federal level for particulate matter on a regular basis.” The Air Pollution Control District is beginning a yearlong monitoring program along with experts from UC Davis to find the source of the pollution. They are trying the determine if it is the amount of pollution is caused by the off road vehicle use or perhaps strong winds blowing off a large area of sand dunes. Although it is figured it is the large amount of vehicle use. 

Another concerning factor is illegal dumping by ATV’s. Many campers instead of dumping their tank of sewage at a dumping zone will dump their tanks into the sand. This is illegal but many people do it because having a empty tank will decrease the weight and increase their gas milage on the way home. Dumping any kinds of liquid is illegal in any state park. Liquids could leave behind many harmful pollutants. Rangers say it is impossible to estimate how much illegal dumping goes on but are hoping it is going down because in recent years Oceano is now offering free dumping sites. There are also fines for dumping and they can be up to $3,400. 

In the Oceano Dunes there are a handful of endangered birds and fish. Protecting these species is incredibly important and is the focus of many environmentalists. There are been lawsuits that blame the state for not protecting these species and pleading for more protection. Two shore birds, the Western snowy plover and the least tern nest primarily on the open sand. This happens to be where people camp and drive their ATVs. Park officials are trying to protect them. They have fenced off 300 acres of the park and reserve them for the birds to nest. Preservation of these birds have been a huge undertaking for the rangers of the dunes.  A park official claims “ We have one of the most cutting-edge endangered species programs in the state”. In 1993 there were 16 nests and in 2011 there were at total of 172. Although researchers are still worried. One of the main worries is Memorial Day weekend because it is one of the most popular weekends but it happens to occur during the plover nesting season. Researchers are hoping though the birds will sense the human presence as predators and nest outside of the recreation area. The Sierra Club’s goal is to eventually take the plovers off the threatened species list. They proposed year around fencing but the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area rejected it. 

The Oceano Dunes provide a environment for a delicate ecosystem but it is peril due to the popularity of tourists. 2 million people come each year and leave a impact on the environment. The county of San Luis Obispo is doing its best to protect the ecosystem, although its a challenge considering the dunes are active all year. The popularity of the dunes brings in a sufficient income and unfortunately that is more important than closing off large fragments of the area.  It has been a on going environmental issue that is slowly becoming resolved.