# 2025-20724: Dunes Off-Roading Permit Excuses Harm to Rare Species 2025-20724, Receipt of Incidental Take Permit Application and Draft Habitat Conservation Plan and Draft Environmental Assessment for the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Oceano Dunes District, San Luis Obispo County, California, is a Federal Register notice from Interior Department, Fish and Wildlife Service published 2025-11-24, effective Public comments requested on or before January 23, 2026; documents available in Docket No. FWS-R8-ES-2025-0143 at https://www.regulations.gov (as of 2026-06-08). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-20724 - As of: 2026-06-08 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2025-20724 - Title: Receipt of Incidental Take Permit Application and Draft Habitat Conservation Plan and Draft Environmental Assessment for the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Oceano Dunes District, San Luis Obispo County, California - Type: Notice - Agencies: Interior Department; Fish and Wildlife Service - Citation: 90 FR 52993 - Published: 2025-11-24 - Effective: Public comments requested on or before January 23, 2026; documents available in Docket No. FWS-R8-ES-2025-0143 at https://www.regulations.gov - Comments close: 2026-01-23 - Significant: no - Touches household money: no - Regulation identifier numbers: none - Last updated: 2026-06-08 ## In one line Dunes Off-Roading Permit Excuses Harm to Rare Species ## Summary The California Department of Parks and Recreation wants permission to continue activities at Oceano Dunes and Pismo State Beach that might accidentally affect some endangered species. They’ve shared a plan and environmental report for public review and are asking for comments by January 23, 2026. This process helps protect wildlife while allowing fun and lawful use of these popular outdoor spots. ## Abstract We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the receipt of an application from California Department of Parks and Recreation (CDPR; applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The applicant requests the ITP to take federally listed species incidental to lawful activities at Pismo State Beach and Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, San Luis Obispo County, California. The activities are described in the draft habitat conservation plan (HCP) and associated draft environmental assessment (EA) for CDPR activities. The CDPR developed the draft HCP as part of their application for an ITP. The Service prepared a draft EA in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to evaluate the potential effects to the natural and human environment resulting from issuing an ITP to CDPR. We are providing notice that the draft HCP and draft EA are both available for public review. We invite comment on these documents from the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies. ## Effects PRIA read - Permit would allow continued park activities: benefit, low. The California Department of Parks and Recreation applied for an incidental take permit (ITP) that would authorize take of certain listed animals incidental to lawful activities on 5,005 acres at Pismo State Beach and Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area in San Luis Obispo County, Californi… - HCP requires habitat and user-management measures: mixed, low. The draft habitat conservation plan includes measures CDPR will implement to avoid and minimize impacts, such as managing habitat to benefit covered species, minimizing human alteration or disturbance of native habitats, reducing conflicts between covered species and park users, restoring native ha… - Possible reduction of southern protected area: benefit, low. One draft EA alternative would allow the ITP while reducing the existing protected area boundary (the "southern exclosure") for the California least tern and western snowy plover if those species meet biological targets. That alternative could change which areas of the park are open to public use d… - Alternative could impose year-round exclosures: cost, low. The draft EA also considers an alternative in which issuance of an ITP would be conditioned on year-round exclosures, which would keep some areas closed to public use throughout the year. That alternative would change access to parts of Pismo State Beach and Oceano Dunes. - Public can review and comment by Jan 23, 2026: benefit, low. The draft HCP and draft environmental assessment are available for public review at Docket No. FWS-R8-ES-2025-0143 on https://www.regulations.gov, and the Service requests written comments by January 23, 2026. Comments and submitted materials will be made publicly available through that docket. ## Related documents - [2026-14629](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14629): Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Designating Critical Habitat, 2026-07-21 - [2026-14633](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14633): Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations Pertaining to Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants, 2026-07-21 - [2026-14299](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14299): Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revised Designation of Critical Habitat for the Contiguous U.S. Distinct Population Segment…, 2026-07-16 - [2026-14195](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14195): Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act, 2026-07-14 - [2026-12955](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12955): Process for Authorizing Seasonal Migratory Game Bird Hunting, 2026-06-26 - [2026-12951](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12951): Process for Authorizing Seasonal Migratory Game Bird Hunting, 2026-06-26 ## Sources - [2025-20724 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/11/24/2025-20724/receipt-of-incidental-take-permit-application-and-draft-habitat-conservation-plan-and-draft) - [2025-20724 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-11-24/pdf/2025-20724.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2025-20723, District Export Council Nomination Opportunity](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-20723) - [Next: 2025-20725, United States Department of Transportation Advisory Board; Public Meeting](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-20725) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-20724 (as of 2026-06-08).