Beach closures begin for shorebird

Surf Beach at Vandenberg Air Force Base will have limited access beginning today due to the annual restrictions put in place for a small shorebird’s nesting season. Only one-half mile of the publicly accessible beach — the closest to Lompoc — will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily because of nesting season for the Western snowy plover. Additionally, only one-quarter mile of Wall Beach and one-half mile of Minuteman Beach are open. Both of those are usable only to people with base access and will be open sunrise to sunset on a trial basis. All other base beaches are closed for the nesting season, which stretches from March 1 through Sept. 30...more