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.

Lawson’s Landing has operated for decades without the required County and Coastal Commission permits. Apart from porta-potties, the campground is served by about 100 primitive, un-permitted cesspits, most sited along a seawall next to Tomales Bay. A sand quarry operated in the dunes for years, but has recently been forced to close due to permit violations. Invasive European beach grass has been planted to protect the campers from being bombarded by wind-blown sand, but it is taking over the mobile dunes, and if unchecked will destroy them within a very few years.

The future is being decided now....
Under pressure to bring the property into compliance with State and County laws, the owners have asked for approval of a Master Plan for Lawson’s Landing. The centerpiece of the plan is to put a huge septic leachfield in the threatened mobile dunes and stabilize them by some form of planting. This could damage water quality, wetlands, native species, and the dunes themselves.

The proposed Master Plan would expose the dunes to even more intensive use. The availability of more water, more septic capacity, more restrooms, new RV dumps, and a modernized shop, garage, and office–not to mention the need to recoup the cost of those investments--will be a powerful inducement to growth.

But first Marin County and the Coastal Commission must approve the plan. Let them know that you want these rare and beautiful dunes to be protected from over-exploitation.

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