Environmental Action Committee - Tomales Dunes: Marin's Hidden Treasure

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 9 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:

Comments by EAC and other groups on the Lawson's Landing permit application to the Coastal Commission.
EAC to CCC 4/8/10, EAC to CCC 5/12/10, Audubon Canyon Ranch to CCC 6/14/10, CNPS to CCC 6/14/10

The Lawson’s Landing permit application was submitted to the Coastal Commission in several stages, throughout 2009, 2010 and 2011. Technically, Lawson's Landing is applying for two coastal permits: the Coastal Commission has granted jurisdiction over part of the Lawson's Landing property to Marin County, which issued the coastal permit that was appealed to—and will be re-heard by--the Commission. At the same time, the Commission retains direct jurisdiction over the remainder of the property. The two permits will likely be consolidated and considered as one by the Commission. Some of the information submitted by Lawson's Landing is not available in electronic form. Here are the main submittals.
Submittal 9/21/09 (13 MB), Submittal 1/15/10, Submittal 3/15/10

In January 2009, the Coastal Commission accepted our appeal of the Marin County permit, which means it will review and decide the Lawson’s Landing Coastal Permit application itself.
Coastal Commission accepts EAC’s Appeal

On November 17, 2008, the Marin County Board of Supervisors approved a new Master Plan and Coastal Permit for Lawson’s Landing. Because the permit granted by Marin County violated the California Coastal Act and Marin’s Local Coastal Program, EAC and other groups appealed the County’s decision to the California Coastal Commission. Our appeal focused on the County’s failure to protect wetlands and other sensitive habitats, on the feasibility and timing of the proposed new septic system, and on the practice of reserving a large portion of the property for a few select “second-home” RVs instead of providing access to the general public.
EAC’s Appeal to the Coastal Commission

In 2008, EAC commented on the long-awaited Alternative Master Plan and found that more information was needed before a decision could be made on the merits of the project. EAC did make some initial comments on the merits of the project.
EAC completeness comments
EAC merits comments

In 2007, EAC pointed out the flaws of the Final EIR, but urged the County to move on to the Merits phase of the permit process, so that Lawson's Landing could be brought into compliance with the Coastal Act and Marin County Code as soon as possible.
EAC response to Draft Final EIR

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

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

Dune climbing

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 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 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 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.