Environmental Action Committee

Tomales Dunes:
Marin’s Hidden Treasure

Robert Campbell/Chamois Moon

Massive dunes, wildlife-rich wetlands, a birder’s paradise...
At the mouth of Tomales Bay is the largest unprotected dune system in central California. While most of California’s dunes have been lost to development, Tomales Dunes has so far managed to survive. This extraordinary site supports at least 14 listed species and has the richest collection of seasonal dune wetlands in central California.

And the largest RV campground on the California coast...
Tomales Dunes is not only a valuable, fragile natural resource; it is also the site of Lawson’s Landing, a large agricultural operation and the biggest RV campground on the coast of California. Lawson’s Landing has 233 permanent RVs and up to 1,000 more RVs each night. Cars and RVs damage the sensitive dune wetlands. On busy weekends, Lawson’s Landing is transformed into the biggest town in West Marin. read more

The future is being decided now.... What you can do to help the Dunes

EAC is taking action:

2007 EAC Responds to Draft Final EIR

2007 EAC warns County on coastal wetlands protection

2006 State Coastal Commission takes action on Dunes
2005 Responses to Draft Environmental Impact Report
2005 EAC forces early Quarry closure
2004 EAC analysis of Beachgrass eradication plan
2003 EAC commissions survey of dunes
2000 Dunes coalition ensures Environmental Impact Report

A walk through the dunes reveals plenty of lush, but invasive European beachgrass creeping in.

Dune climbing

In 2007, in response to a Wetland Delineationthat classed wetlands as "significant" and "less significant", EAC wrote to the County to protest efforts to create two classes of wetlands, explaining that the Coastal Act does not allow such distinctions.

EAC Wetlands Letter 4.16.07

In 2006, the Coastal Commission, responding to requests for action by EAC and others, issued a Cease & Desist Order, requiring the owners of Lawson's Landing to complete their application for a Coastal Permit by April 2007.

EAC letter to Coastal Commission
Coastal Commission letter to Lawsons 2.21.06 (1 MB)
Coastal Commission letter to Marin County
“Coastal Commission takes action on Dunes,” EAC Newsletter, Spring 2006, Cover Story

In 2005 permit violations uncovered by EAC forced the early closure of the Lawson’s Landing sand quarry. Click here to read about the Quarry closure.
Quarry Closure 1.31.05
EAC's appeal of quarry permit
“Sand Quarry Should be Shut Down,” EAC newsletter, Spring 2004 Cover story

In 2005, EAC and the Coalition to Protect Tomales Dunes responded to the Draft Environmental Impact Report on the Lawson’s Landing Master Plan. Click here to see the EIR and responses to it by EAC and others. Click here to view the responses.

In 2004, EAC studied the Lawson’s Landing Quarry’s plan for removal of European Beachgrass from quarry sites, as required by the quarry permit. We concluded that the program does not meet basic standards of efficacy and safety and provided the County with additional information to help in the review and reformulation of the EBG eradication program. Click here for more information about European beachgrass eradication.

In 2003, EAC commissioned a Biogeographic Assessment of the Vegetation, Flora and Invertebrates of Tomales Dunes, which found that the dunes range of habitats supported numerous special-status plants and insects, and has an important role to play in restoration of such rare species as the Myrtle’s Silverspot butterfly and Tidestrom’s Lupine.
Click here to see the Dunes Survey. (1.5 MB)
“Study finds dunes dynamic, yet delicate,” EAC Newsletter, Fall 2004 Cover Story

In 2000, Marin County announced that no Environmental Impact Report would be required for this project. EAC organized a coalition of groups which successfully argued that an EIR was required under the California Environmental Quality Act. Click here to read the October 2000 Coalition letter.