# California beach road fix comes with a catch: no more cars

> State regulators approved a critical road repair, but only if the county permanently bans vehicles from the beach to protect a threatened bird.
- Title: California beach road fix comes with a catch: no more cars
- Summary: State regulators approved a critical road repair, but only if the county permanently bans vehicles from the beach to protect a threatened bird. The…
- Keywords: california coastal commission, humboldt county, centerville beach, centerville road, eureka, western snowy plover, beach access, road repair, vehicle ban, rex bohn, iver skavdal, coastal development permit
- Source: California Post — https://nypost.com/2026/09/15/us-news/california-coastal-commission-looks-to-close-beloved-beach-park-over-threatened-bird
- Published: 2026-09-16T00:09:42+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: california coastal commission, humboldt county, centerville beach, centerville road, eureka, western snowy plover, beach access, road repair, vehicle ban, rex bohn, iver skavdal, coastal development permit
## Road repair gets surprise condition
California regulators approved a 900-foot road reconstruction in Eureka, but only if Humboldt County permanently bans vehicles from Centerville Beach.
## Flooding threatens to isolate homes
The low-lying coastal route floods with ocean water and sand during high surf, threatening to cut off eight nearby homes completely.
## Protecting the western snowy plover
Commission staff say the driving ban is needed to protect the federally threatened shorebird that nests in coastal dunes and to stop off-roaders trespassing.
## Local officials cry foul
Supervisor Rex Bohn and Planning Commissioner Iver Skavdal accused state regulators of using the road project as leverage without community input.

> This just appears to be a backroom deal stuck into the project, holding the project, the residents and the county hostage simply because you can.
## One of California's last drive-on beaches
Centerville Beach is one of the only places in the state where vehicles were allowed to access the beach for fishing and recreation.
## Access concerns for disabled visitors
Local fisherman Dave Sirkovic called the condition extortion, arguing the ban would limit access for older, disabled people, and anglers.

> I view this condition on the county to repair a county road as an act of extortion.
## Key takeaway

The California Coastal Commission is using a road repair permit as leverage to close one of the state's last drive-on beaches, sparking fierce local opposition.