Lompoc’s Surf Beach Reopens Fully to the Public Following Plover Restrictions

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All sections of Surf, Wall and Minuteman beaches were fully reopened to the public on Wednesday, four days before the scheduled end of restrictions imposed each year to protect the Western Snow Plover, according to Space Force Base Vandenberg.

Fences and boundary signs at Lompoc’s most accessible surf beach were removed in response to the confirmed plover chicks’ flight on September 16 according to a biological advisory, officials said.

Under the Endangered Species Act, the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Biological Advisory requires the 30th Space Wing Commander to enforce restrictions on all three beaches each year – March 1 through September 30 – to protect endangered plover species.

Since all of the plover chicks had flown away on Monday, VSFB officials said 30th Space Wing Cmdr. Colonel Robert A. Long ordered the reopening of all beaches.

Some restrictions still apply during the fall and winter seasons, including:

No litter, including fishing bait and fish scraps
No pets off leash
Camping forbidden
No beach fires
No fireworks
No kite
No food for wildlife
No horses or ATVs except for authorized enforcement personnel

Lifeguards are not present on the beaches, so bathers are encouraged to never swim alone and to always be aware of the environment.

Surf Beach is open everyday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wall and Minuteman Beaches are open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Lompoc Surf Beach completely reopened due to the flight of plover chicks — A western snow plover walks back to a nest in an undated photo.

Contributed

A western snow plover walks back to a nest in an undated photo.

Contributed

Vandenberg officials call for continued estuary closure due to habitat and border concerns

The Ocean Beach Park estuary was closed on Friday, less than two days after it reopened, after officials at Vandenberg Air Force Base called Santa Barbara County Parks and asked that it remain closed due to wildlife habitat and security issues, according to an official.

Western snow plover restrictions take effect on Vandenberg beaches

Seasonal restrictions designed to protect the western snow plover and its nesting habitat came into effect Monday for several beaches at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

Ocean Beach Park estuary reopens for public recreation, but status is now in question

Access to the Ocean Beach Park estuary near Lompoc was opened to public recreation Thursday for the first time in nearly four decades.

Ocean Beach Park estuary to reopen for public recreation in October

Access to the estuary near Ocean Beach Park has been restricted to the public for as long as many Lompoc residents can remember, but will reopen to water recreation activities for the first time in decades next month.

With plover violations skyrocketing, annual closures could revert to Surf Beach

Lompoc Town Manager Jim Throop, who play an important role by keeping Surf Beach open for recreational access throughout the 2020 breeding season for the federally protected Western Snow Plover, this week warned people continued to disrupt nesting areas for species of birds and that the status of the beach could again be threatened.

Lisa André covers lifestyle and local news for Santa Ynez Valley News and Lompoc Record, as part of the Santa Maria Times.

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