Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes

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Coordinates: 34°58′34″N 120°39′00″W / 34.976°N 120.65°W / 34.976; -120.65
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Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes
A view of the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dune complex from its southern tip at Mussel Rock.
Map showing the location of Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes
Map showing the location of Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes
Map showing the location of Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes
Map showing the location of Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes
LocationSan Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, United States
Nearest cityOceano and Guadalupe, California
Coordinates34°58′34″N 120°39′00″W / 34.976°N 120.65°W / 34.976; -120.65
Area22,000 acres (89 km2)
Governing bodyFederal, state, local & private
Designated1974

Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes is the largest remaining

Santa Barbara County.[2]

The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Complex is home to a unique dunes ecosystem as well as many endangered and threatened species of plants and animals. To protect the dunes environment, much of the Complex has been set aside for conservation. In addition, it is recognized as a National Natural Landmark.[3]

Another portion of the Dunes is utilized for recreation, such as camping and

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County.[4]

History

The first known inhabitants of the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes were Native Americans of the

Chumash tribe; early Spanish maritime explorers noted their settlements. However, Europeans did not travel through the Dunes themselves until September 2–4, 1769,[5]
when members of Don
Gaspar de Portolà's overland expedition stayed in the Dunes and shot a skinny bear by the shores of what is now called Oso Flaco Lake. After eating the bear, two of the explorers became sick. The Chumash had poisoned the skinny bear - as a means of protection, they often incapacitated dangerous wildlife by feeding them tainted meat.[6]
This incident resulted in the lake's name: Oso Flaco or "Skinny Bear".

Film

In 1923, the epic movie The Ten Commandments directed by Cecil B. DeMille, was filmed on the Dunes. At the end of production, the massive sets reproducing ancient Egypt were dismantled and buried on the site to prevent reuse.[7] The location was later used to film the episode "White Tip's Journey" (set in Late Cretaceous Mongolia) of the dinosaur documentary miniseries Dinosaur Planet in 2004. As of 2013 they remain buried there, despite decades of various proposals for excavation.[8] Some artifacts have been recovered and are on display at The Dunes Visitor Center, while others may be seen from time to time as the dunes shift.[9][10][11] Portions of Beyoncé's Black Is King were filmed on the Dunes in 2019.

Dunites and oil

From the 1920s until the 1940s, a group of mystics, nudists, artists, writers, and hermits known as the "Dunites" inhabited the Dunes.

Unocal began operating the Guadalupe Oil Field in the 1950s.[14] Over the course of the next forty years, Unocal leaked 18 million gallons of petroleum under the Dunes.[14][15] In 1994, the company publicly recognized the spill and began cleaning up the 2,700-acre (11 km2) site, which lies in San Luis Obispo County immediately north of the Santa Barbara County line.[14] As of 2015, cleanup and restoration work was expected to continue for at least another 10 years.[16]

Conservation

Starting in the 1970s, measures were taken to protect the natural environment at the Dunes. One of the biggest changes was the restriction of

OHVs to the designated Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area.[13] This allowed for the other areas of the Dunes to undergo restoration efforts by conservation groups. As of 2013 the process of dune restoration continues.[17]

Geography and environment

Beach at the Guadalupe Dunes County Park
West Main Street and transition zone (back dunes), Guadalupe Dunes County Park

The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes were formed by a combination of factors including beach sand which was blown inland by the wind and the Santa Maria River which brought sediment to the coast. Dune-building began 18,000 years ago with the Nipomo and Orcutt Mesas.

freshwater lake located amid the Dunes.[19]

Even though the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes consist of moving sand with extremely low moisture that is seemingly deprived of nutrients, it is home to a variety of

Nipomo Mesa lupine
is endemic to the dunes and is limited to the area. There are five to seven colonies growing in a strip of sand dunes.

The dunes are separated into uplands and wetlands habitats. Uplands include the fore dunes, back dunes, and sandy beaches. Dunes can occur in three different formations. Primary Foredunes are parallel to the shore and support sparse vegetation. Parabolic dunes are U-shaped and perpendicular to the shore with vegetative ridges. Moving sand sheets consist of constantly moving sand, making it hard for vegetation to settle. The fore dunes begin at the high tide line, where only low growing plants with deep root systems (such as

mudflats. Plants that live there are adapted to dynamic environmental conditions including high salinity concentration and extreme temperatures.[20]
Solutions that the plants can take to adapt to high salinity are large tap roots to reach the perched water table, thick cuticle to prevent water loss, and succulence.

Weeds have been introduced into the Dunes environment both purposefully and accidentally and threaten the native plant life. Various native plants are being choked out by invasive species like European beach grass.[21] European beach grass achieves higher cover than native dune grass and is stimulated to grow by sand burial, causing a positive feedback.

Many species of animals can be found among the dunes. Over 200 species of birds live there, such as the

lizards, saltwater and freshwater fish inhabit the dunes as well.[21]

Dust and air quality

The dunes have been involved with an ongoing series of environmental debates regarding the reduced air quality found in the receiving towns downwind of the dune system. Physical effects by the dust aerosols are indicated by accounts of homeowners claiming discomfort in breathing during times of high dust concentration,

San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District has been researching the reduced air quality downwind of the Oceano Dunes SVRA since 1995, and has concluded that while there is a natural component to the dust pollution, off-highway vehicular activity makes it worse.[23]

Western snowy plover

Further information: Western snowy plover

Off-road vehicle use partially conflicts with habitat of the western snowy plover (Charadrius nivosus) which was listed as threatened under the

Endangered Species Act (ESA) on March 5, 1993.[24] It is alleged that use by vehicles directly correlates with a decrease in reproductive success. However, western snowy plover nests have increased dramatically from 16 nests in 1993[25] to a total of 172 nests in 2011.[26]: Table 11  Memorial Day weekend is one of the park's busiest, and occurs during the plover nesting season. Yet, year after year, large numbers of plover nests are found at nesting sites closest to the open vehicle area at Oceano Dunes,[25]: Table 15  suggesting human presence may deter presence of predators, and that plover may receive refuge at these sites. An eight-year summary of western snowy plover reproduction on California State Park lands depicts the breeding success at Oceano Dunes which is particularly stark compared to very low breeding numbers elsewhere in the state.[27]

Ecologists argue that the snowy plover does not just breed on any coastal area; they seek protection in the dunes.[28] Scientist Tom Jordan studied data on bird nesting sites and found that snowy plovers "prefer the beach and the flatter areas," such as on top of the dunes, where they can watch for predators.[29] Plovers prefer nesting on open sand which can put nests at risk of being crushed by vehicles or hikers.[30]

The Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club proposed year-round fencing to protect plover habitat, but the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area rejected the idea.[31] Soon after the decision, a plover was killed by an off-road vehicle in a recommended area for fencing. The Sierra Club sued the State Parks for violating the ESA by not providing enough protection for the snowy plover, as well as the California least tern and steelhead trout.

In the case settlement, the

State Park was given the responsibility of researching, fund raising, and establishing an education program about the snowy plover. The Park must close off an additional half-mile of the beach between March and October, the plover's breeding season. Additionally, they must find alternate routes to avoid vehicles crossing the Arroyo Grande Creek because it is inhabited by the steelhead trout.[citation needed
]

Year Nests found
1993 16
1994 31
1995 31
1996 32
1997 30
1998 42
1999 13
2000 15
2001 33
2002 35
2003 95
2004 147
2005 107
2006 117
2007 99
2008 121
2009 150
2010 155
2011 172

Management, uses, and ownership

Within the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Complex are several distinct regions, each managed by different organizations and used for various purposes.

The Oceano State Vehicular Recreation Area has taken measures to protect wildlife by fencing off specific areas from pedestrians and vehicles and creating rules for visitors. Some rules are: adhere to the 15 mph (24 km/h) speed limit, do not enter closed areas, keep dogs on a leash at all times, and rid the beach of trash that could attract predators.[44] During the busy holidays, extra rangers are brought into the park to ensure rules are enforced.

View of Pismo Beach from Oceano State Vehicular Recreation Area
Oceano Beach, California

Ownership

For 25 years, the County of

San Luis Obispo has leased 584 acres (2.36 km2) of the Dunes to the State Department of Parks and Recreation, free of charge.[41] When the lease expired in June 2008, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors had options, including sale of the land, renewal of the deal with the state or creation of a deal requiring the state to pay rent. To determine whether or not to sell the dune property to the state, two public hearings were held April 17, 2007. To sell real property, four-fifths of the supervisors must vote in favor; but in order to renew a lease only a majority is required.[45]

The State Parks offered to pay $4.86 million for nearly 584 acres (2.36 km2) of beachfront property that is directly in the middle of the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation area. Various groups and individuals would like to see the land sold to the State Parks. Currently, the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area uses one third of the beach territory for off-road vehicles use. Off-roaders are concerned that since the decision is in the hands of the county, San Luis Obispo County's environmental community may advise more restrictions on the land if it isn't sold. Land available for vehicle use has already been reduced from 15,000 acres (61 km2) to 1,500 acres (6.1 km2). The State wants to buy the land in order to secure a place for off-road vehicles for the future. They claim not all the land would be used for off-road vehicles and camping, and that part of the land would be set aside as preserve areas, as the County wants. On Tuesday April 17, 2007, the San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 not to sell the 584 acres (2.36 km2) of land to the State.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ "The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes: A Haven for Wildlife and a Destination for People". Retrieved May 1, 2007.
  2. ^ "Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge". Archived from the original on November 30, 2006. Retrieved May 1, 2007.
  3. ^ "South County Area Conservation Projects". Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved May 1, 2007.
  4. ^ "Dunes Collaborative". Retrieved December 4, 2011.
  5. ^ a b "Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Areas". Retrieved May 1, 2007.
  6. ^ "On the Trail - Oso Flaco Lake". Dunes Center. Archived from the original on May 19, 2006. Retrieved May 1, 2007.
  7. ^ Lichterman, Courtney (February 13, 2023). "A city under the sand: The Lost City of Cecil B DeMille". www.bbc.com. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  8. ^ "Cecil B. DeMille".
  9. ^ "Ten Commandments Archaeological Site". THE CENTER FOR LAND USE INTERPRETATION. Retrieved May 17, 2007.
  10. ^ Jones, Jay (January 27, 2010). "Hollywood discovered Guadalupe Dunes decades ago". Los Angeles Times.
  11. ^ Branson-Potts, Hailey (October 17, 2014). "Sphinx unearthed from 1923 Cecil B. DeMille movie set". Los Angeles Times.
  12. ^ Charlton, April (October 4, 2010). "Last Dunite cabin moved to Oceano Depot". Santa Maria Times. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  13. ^ a b "Conservation Chronology of Nipomo Dunes Complex". US Fish and Wildlife Service. Archived from the original on February 19, 2007. Retrieved May 1, 2007.
  14. ^ a b c Leavenworth, Stuart (April 27, 2003). "Dunes' spills still focus of cleanup". Sacramento Bee. Archived from the original on May 13, 2007. Retrieved May 4, 2007.
  15. ^ Silent Spill: The Organization of Industrial Crisis, Beamish, Thomas D. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press, 2002
  16. ^ Sneed, David (June 27, 2015). "'Another 10 years': Guadalupe dunes still recovering from oil spill". San Luis Obispo Tribune. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  17. ^ "Coastal Commission investigates bulldozers on the beach at Oceano Dunes". San Luis Obispo Tribune. May 5, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  18. ^ a b c d "Geography of the Dunes". The Sierra Club Santa Lucia Chapter. Retrieved May 8, 2007.
  19. ^ "Legacy Project: Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes". The Nature Conservancy. Retrieved May 8, 2007.
  20. ^ "Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Interpretive Master Plan" (PDF). Retrieved May 8, 2007.
  21. ^ a b "Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge". The Sierra Club Santa Lucia Chapter. Archived from the original on November 16, 2006. Retrieved May 8, 2007.
  22. ^ Gold, Scott (March 12, 2014). "Grover Beach mayor embroiled in dust-up over dune vehicles". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  23. ^ "South County Particulate Matter Studies: State Parks Dunes Dust Studies". SLO County APCD. 2013. Archived from the original on March 4, 2017. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  24. ^ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "Western Snowy Plover Species Profile". Arcata Fish and Wildlife Office. Retrieved December 28, 2010. the Pacific Coast population of the western snowy plover is federally listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 as threatened
  25. ^ a b California Department of Parks and Recreation, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Division, Oceano Dunes District (November 2005), Nesting of the California Least Tern and Western Snowy Plover at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, San Luis Obispo County, California, 2005 Season, p. 29{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  26. ^ California Department of Parks and Recreation, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Division, Oceano Dunes District (November 2011), Nesting of the California Least Tern and Western Snowy Plover at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, San Luis Obispo County, California, 2011 Season, p. 144{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  27. California Department of Parks and Recreation (April 12, 2010). "Western Snowy Plover 8-year Reproductive Summary on California State Park Lands"
    (PDF). Western Snowy Plover Species Profile. Arcata Fish and Wildlife Office: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
  28. LA Times
    . Retrieved August 26, 2017.
  29. ^ Laurenzano, Heidi (November 15, 2001). "Snowy Plovers' new digs" (PDF). The Santa Maria Times. Retrieved May 26, 2007.
  30. ^ https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/environment/article244055272.html. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  31. ^ Sierra Club (May 7, 2004). "Preserve the Oceano Dunes!". The Sierra Club, Santa Lucia Chapter. Archived from the original on May 18, 2007. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
  32. ^ a b "California State Parks". The Dunes Collaborative. Retrieved May 1, 2007.
  33. ^ Alley, Dave (May 19, 2017). "Oso Flaco Lake attracting visitors to scenic hiking trail". KEYT. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  34. ^ Admin, OEHHA (August 13, 2013). "Oso Flaco Lake". OEHHA. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  35. ^ "About us". Archived from the original on April 6, 2007. Retrieved May 1, 2007.
  36. ^ Anderson, Jason (March 21, 2023). "Unique interactive education imparts deeper ecological connection at Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center". Santa Maria Times. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  37. ^ "Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes NWR".
  38. ^ County of Santa Barbara Parks. "Rancho Guadalupe Dunes". Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  39. ^ Edinger, Marie (June 30, 2019). "People across the Valley are fighting to keep the Oceano Dunes recreation area alive". KMPH. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  40. ^ "Adventure No.101 Oceano Dunes SVRA State Vehicular Recreation Area". Retrieved May 1, 2007.
  41. ^ a b Chawkins, Steve (April 17, 2007). "Oceano Dunes' unhappy campers". LA Times. Retrieved April 29, 2007.
  42. ^ State staff (October 14, 2011). Oceano Dunes District Overview (PDF) (Report). Archived (PDF) from the original on November 8, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  43. ^ Shuman, Mackenzie (February 1, 2021). "Off-road riding at Oceano Dunes has 'no significant impact' on SLO County economy, study says". The Tribune. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  44. ^ Rosato, Joe (May 22, 2003). "Protection of Snowy Plover at Oceano Dunes Remains A Top Priority for State Parks" (PDF). The Santa Maria Times. Archived from the original on October 1, 2006. Retrieved April 26, 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  45. ^ Charlton, April (April 16, 2006). "A look at issues targeting sale of the Oceano Dunes". The Lompoc Record. Retrieved April 25, 2007.
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