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The off-roading community’s efforts to preserve its pastime at Oceano were supported by California Parks officials, who asserted that they and the state Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission were mandated to allow OHV activities.

But officials at the California Department of Parks and Recreation disagree and say a vehicle ban would be inconsistent with state laws regarding use of off-highway vehicles, or OHV.

Instead, they have drafted a management plan that envisions expanding vehicular and OHV use and installing improvements, including campgrounds and concessionaire space, near scenic Oso Flaco Lake, as well as an OHV historic museum and a shooting range.

OHV activities, they point out, attract nearly 2 million people a year and inject more than $100 million into the San Luis Obispo County economy.

“State parks cannot remove OHV from Oceano Dunes because it is mandated to provide OHV recreation there.”