Oceano Dunes SVRA 2016 Temporary Dust Control Effort

Oceano Dunes SVRA 2016 Temporary Dust Control Effort

The purpose of this proposed project is to monitor and reduce the levels of fugitive dust particles from select locations of the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Complex within Oceano Dunes SVRA. Project activities would consist of the use three different suppression methods at three different sites of ODSRVA to physically cover the ground surface and break the flow of wind across the landscape, thereby reducing sand transport and dust generation. The three methods will include; (1) portable and reusable "porous roughness" elements, (2) temporary deployment of wind fencing, and (3) placement of new straw bales and reconfiguring of old straw bales. To measure project effectiveness, wind monitoring equipment will also be stationed nearby to each project site. The porous roughness material will consist of metal mesh sliding (3'x'3'x'3') of thick wire with plastic fencing material for 50% porosity over 1.5 acres of open sand within the riding and camping area. Up to approximately 43,000 linear feet of 4-foot-tall wind fencing (up to 40 acres) and up to 1,000 new certified weed free straw bales (up to 20 acres) would be placed in an array perpendicular to the prevailing wind direction within the open riding area and where public use is prohibited. Each project site would also contain monitoring stations to measure and assess PM 10 levels, sand transport, and wind direction and wind speed upwind, downwind, within and adjacent to dust control projects. Monitoring stations would include: one small, single-axle trailer or wooden platform, 10 meter wind tower, tripod with particulate or meteorological instruments, solar panels, batteries, and solar control system. All dust control projects and monitoring equipment would be secured and enclosed by a perimeter fence.

San Luis Obispo