Commentary: What in particulate to do about the Dunes?

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• Viewpoint: Dust emission rule’s passage is an issue of public health

  Viewpoint: Dust emission rule’s passage is an issue of public health

  Much has been aired on this page and on the radio over the past week regarding the Air Pollution Control District’s proposed rule to reduce dust emissions from the Oceano Dunes, and the scientific studies supporting the rule. Most of it involves a very strong lobbying and misinformation campaign by those opposed to the rule, raising questions in the guise of “science” to create doubt and undermine our credibility. As a result, APCD has been pulled into a whirlwind of accusations, character attacks and untruths.

  This is unfortunate and detracts from the real issue: the ongoing and significant health risks faced by South County residents exposed to the huge dust plume rising from the Dunes on windy days. Protection of public health is not a choice for APCD — it’s our mandate. I completely agree with Judith Bean’s statement in her Viewpoint article that decisions must be made on information that goes beyond hearsay.

  Here are the facts:

• Dunes air-quality rules run aground

  Dunes air-quality rules run aground

  If put into place, new regulations for the Oceano Dunes would damage the economies of South County communities to the tune of millions of dollars, Oceano Community Services District leaders said this week.

  The district board voted 4-0 on Wednesday to send a letter to county air-quality regulators in opposition to new rules that would force the State Parks Department to reduce the amount of dust coming from the Dunes.

  “This could be a disaster to what’s left of the economy in Oceano,” board member Mary Lucey said.

• Editorial: ­Improving air quality must be a top priority

  Editorial: ­Improving air quality must be a top priority

  For years, residents of parts of the Nipomo Mesa have been breathing in unhealthy air that often exceeds state standards for particulate pollution.

  Today, regulators are doing something about it. The staff of the county Air Pollution Control District will outline a proposed dust control rule that will limit the level of particulates allowed to drift from the state’s Oceano Dunes off-highway vehicle park.

  Under the proposal, emissions from the OHV area —which have been scientifically linked to poor air quality on the Mesa — will be measured and compared to air samples from nonriding areas.

• County board approves air quality fines on Nipomo Mesa

  County board approves air quality fines on Nipomo Mesa

  State Parks would pay up to $1,000 for each day that the amount of dust blowing off Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area exceeds state limits

• Air board to consider dust rule

  Air board to consider dust rule

  The county air pollution control board will consider a plan on Wednesday that would give the State Parks Department 3½ years to reduce unhealthy levels of dust blowing off the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area.

  The contentious issue of high levels of particulate matter on the Nipomo Mesa on windy days will take up much of the air board’s Sept. 28 agenda. The central item is consideration of a proposed fugitive-dust rule for Oceano Dunes.

  Under the rule, State Parks would be required to devise a plan that would reduce dust emissions from the riding area of the park. Monitoring stations would compare emissions from the riding area to those from nonriding areas.