We asked Gov. Newsom about Oceano Dunes air pollution. We weren’t impressed by his answer

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration is “listening” and actively working to address concerns about poor air quality linked to the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, his office said in a statement issued Thursday.

We’re glad to hear that Newsom takes the issue seriously.

But where’s the forceful commitment to protect public health?

Instead, we get this underwhelming statement in response to questions from The Tribune and Fresno Bee editorial boards:

“This is a complex issue that my administration is taking very seriously. We recognize the concerns about Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area’s contribution to air quality in the local community. We are listening and actively working on an actionable plan to address concerns raised by various groups.”

No word on what that “actionable plan” may be.

Or when it might be put into effect.

We hope it’s soon, because Sacramento in general and State Parks in particular have been dragging this out way too long.

If action had been taken years ago, perhaps the health problems highlighted in Monica Vaughan’s excellent reporting on poor air quality on the Nipomo Mesa could have been avoided.

Instead, State Parks has once again been accused of failing to carry out measures aimed at lowering harmful particulate pollution linked to a variety of illnesses among Mesa residents, including childhood asthma and respiratory failure in adults.

As a result, on Monday the agency is being hauled back in front of a hearing board convened by the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control Board.

It’s the same frustrating pattern:

• State Parks agrees to carry out dust control measures, such as fencing off areas to off-road vehicles and planting more vegetation.
• Residents who live and/or work on the Nipomo Mesa are given reason to believe air quality — and hopefully, their health — will improve.
• State Parks fails to live up to its commitment — and downwind residents once again feel betrayed.

That sense of betrayal was on display recently, when former state Natural Resources secretary and current state Senate candidate John Laird was criticized at a meeting of the Nipomo Progressive Women. He was confronted for doing too little about air quality at the Dunes when he was in charge of natural resources.

Mesa residents have reason to be angry, though Laird isn’t the only one who’s culpable.

Outside of the state Coastal Commission, no state official — elected or appointed, Democrat or Republican — has cared enough to get involved in this issue, let alone stick up for people’s health.

Here’s what outgoing state Sen. Bill Monning — such a stickler for health that he’s been on a multi-year crusade to tax sugary soft drinks — told The Tribune last summer: “While the Oceano Dunes are an economic driver for the region, it is important to balance public health and environmental conservation with public access and recreation.”

At a Wednesday editorial board meeting with The Tribune, Monning said he has been meeting with stakeholders and has toured the area multiple times. He also promised to have a conversation about the issue with Newsom’s natural resources secretary, Wade Crowfoot.

“Sacramento’s not blind to this issue,” he said.

Laird, too, has vowed to do more; he issued a statement to The Tribune in which he promised to “ensure that public health is the first priority in this matter.”

He can start by attending Monday’s meeting of the Air Pollution Control District hearing board. It would be great if his opponents showed up, too.

You, too, Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham.

A representative from the governor’s office would be most welcome, too.

State Parks has failed in its duty to protect the health of residents of the Nipomo Mesa.

It’s past time for the leadership of California — including Gov. Newsom — to make it clear that people’s health must come first, by sending this strong message to State Parks: Either comply with the Air Board directives, or the park closes until you do.

This editorial has been updated to include responses from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office and from state Sen. Bill Monning.

This story was originally published November 13, 2019 at 6:01 AM.