San Mateo Campground to be Closed Last Two Weeks of June

Editor's note: The following is a Camp Pendleton news release.

Camp Pendleton's I Marine Expeditionary Force is scheduled to conduct its annual amphibious training exercise, named Dawn Blitz, June 15-30.  This Brigade-size, multi-national amphibious exercise involves Navy ships and landing craft, as well as, Marine Corps assault vehicles and aircraft that will enable military personnel to exercise capabilities across the continuum of military operations.

The exercise will be conducted in a similar manner and within the same operating parameters as previous amphibious exercises conducted in past decades.

As part of the exercise, Camp Pendleton and international units will be conducting amphibious landings on Base beaches, and training areas using multiple maneuver corridors, to include portions of the San Onofre State Park that has been leased to the California Department of Parks and Recreation by the Marine Corps since 1971.

Provisions in the lease agreement allow the Marine Corps to use any portion of the State Parks lease area for military training purposes as long as proper advance notice is given. In August 2012, Camp Pendleton officials first notified the California Department of Parks and Recreation of its plans to exercise its option in the lease.

Therefore, Camp Pendleton has been in continuous coordination with the California Department of Parks and Recreation, as well as the California Coastal Commission concerning the closure of portions of San Onofre State Park for military training.  As a result, the State Park's San Mateo Campground is scheduled to be closed to the public during the Dawn Blitz exercise.

Camp Pendleton has also provided public notification in local newspapers that in accordance with the Federal environmental laws and Marine Corps regulations, the Base is preparing an Environmental Assessment that identifies and evaluates the environmental effects of this proposed action.