Home / Environment / Oregon Dunes Closed Ahead of UTV Event
Oregon Dunes Closed Ahead of UTV Event
12 Aug
Summary
- Federal judge closed parts of Oregon Dunes to motorized use.
- Closures are to protect habitat for coastal martens, a threatened species.
- The ruling came just before a large Winchester Bay UTV Takeover event.
Federal judge Ann Aiken has closed sections of the Oregon Dunes to motorized vehicles, a decision made just before the large Winchester Bay UTV Takeover event. The closures, effective as of August 10, 2026, address concerns raised by a lawsuit filed in 2024 by the Center for Biological Diversity. The lawsuit argued that the U.S. Forest Service was not adequately protecting the habitat of coastal martens, a species designated as threatened.
The order specifically closed Banshee Hill and the southwestern edge of Umpqua Dunes to off-road vehicles. These areas will remain closed until more permanent conservation measures are established. The Forest Service is mandated to clearly mark these restricted zones with signage and conduct ongoing monitoring. Additionally, a nighttime curfew from 10:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. has been imposed on the North Riding Area, prohibiting off-highway vehicle use during those hours.
The Center for Biological Diversity highlighted that off-road vehicles pose significant risks to coastal martens through noise, habitat destruction, and direct collisions. Tala DiBenedetto, a staff attorney for the Center, expressed relief, stating the closures provide essential respite for the martens to find food, mates, and raise their young. The Forest Service confirmed compliance with the court's directive, including halting new commercial OHV event permits and adjusting on-the-ground management.
