Edhat Staff
Western Snowy Plover south of Villa Creek, Estero Bluffs, a few miles north of Cayucos (Photo: Mike Baird)
Update by Vandenberg Air Force Base
August 19, 2017
Surf Beach will be closed until Sept. 30 due to exceeding the maximum number of beach violations.
Since it was temporarily closed on July 28 with a targeted re-opening date of Sept. 1, multiple violations at Surf Beach have pushed it beyond the mandated limit of 50 violations.
Beach restrictions are enforced annually on all three Vandenberg beaches (Surf, Wall, and Minuteman) from March 1 through Sept. 30 to protect the Western Snowy Plover, listed as a threatened species under the endangered Species Act, and its nesting habitat.
Recreational beach access is currently available at portions of Wall Beach off 35th Street and Minuteman Beach on North base for the Vandenberg community. No beach access is available at Ocean Beach County Park, however the park remains open.
To ensure continued access to these beaches, observe and read the posted signage to avoid violations and beach closures.
Source: Vandenberg Air Force Base
August 1, 2017
Because of a spike in violations, Vandenberg leadership has decided to temporarily close Surf Beach here Friday, July 28, until the Labor Day weekend on Sept. 1.
Beach restrictions are enforced annually on all three Vandenberg beaches (Surf, Wall, and Minuteman) from March 1 through Sept. 30 to protect the Western Snowy Plover, listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, and its nesting habitat. By closing the beach now, our local community members will be able to enjoy the beach during the holiday weekend.
“We protect the snowy plover through beach closures, predator management and habitat restoration to offset adverse effects of recreational beach use during the breeding season,” said Samantha Kaisersatt, 30th Civil Engineer Squadron biological scientist. “In addition to the closing sections of the beaches, there is a prohibition on dogs, horses and kites.”
Seasonal beach violations are limited to 50 for Surf Beach, 10 for Wall Beach, and 10 for Minuteman Beach. Currently there are 44 violations for Surf Beach. Entry into any posted closed area counts as a violation. If the specified violation limit is reached at a particular beach, that entire beach will be closed for the remainder of the nesting season.
Violators of beach restrictions can be fined up to $5,000 in federal court. Violators of the Endangered Species Act (Violations vary from entering a posted area to crushing eggs or chicks) can face fines up to $50,000 in federal court and imprisonment for up to one year.
During plover season, the general public can still find beach access available at a portion of Surf Beach at the end of Highway 246. Recreational beach access is also available at portions of Wall Beach off 35th Street and Minuteman Beach on North base for the Vandenberg community. To ensure continued access to these beaches, observe and read the posted signage to avoid violations and beach closures.
