August 11, 2026 4:30 a.m.

Covering coastal Douglas County:

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken granted a request from the Center for Biological Diversity for temporary protections at the Oregon Dunes, just ahead of the Winchester Bay UTV Takeover event, which begins Tuesday.

In a 12-page court document, Judge Aiken ordered Banshee Hill and the southwest edge of Umpqua Dunes closed. Aiken said the U.S. Forest Service must rope off the closed areas, post signs, and monitor and replace any damaged or removed signs. Judge Aitken said the closures and signage shall remain in place until longer-term interim measures have been determined. The ruling also said the Forest Service must impose a curfew from 10:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. in the North Riding Area. The Forest Service is also required to install trail cameras at the two closed areas. They are to remain in place until Monday, August 17th after the Takeover event ends.

The Center for Biological Diversity requested a preliminary injunction to protect the coastal marten, after the species was listed as threatened. The UTV event is expected to take place on Douglas County land adjacent to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation area. Court documents said the martens are known to live in the Middle Riding Area’s Umpqua Dunes, which is south of the Umpqua River.

The judge’s decision to issue temporary protections does not represent a final ruling on the lawsuit from the environmental group against the Forest Service. Douglas County, Coos County, and Save the Riders Dunes, Inc are also listed as defendants.