MILE 288 on 6/19/04

Observed two sets of people camping. This was a first. One couple appeared to be camping on the beach, above the high tide line. they were gathering driftwood, but had made no fires. A different group (didn't observe the people) had a tent in the dunes above the high tide line. They had some kind of fire going because there was smoke rising from the area of the tent. I could not see if the smoke came from a stove or an open fire. Apparently Tillamook County now allows camping on the Bayocean Spit. However, no fires are allowed in the dune area so the smoke I saw came from a seemingly illegal use of fire.

NOTABLE WILDLIFE

DEAD BIRDS

Total: 0

STRANDED

Total: 1 • Harbor seal, seen on the bay side of the spit.

FISH & INVERTS

DRIFTLINE

NEW DEVELOPMENT

MODIFICATIONS

NATURAL CHANGES

COMMENTS

I have concern about people camping. As I left the parking area around 9:30 PM, there were still 7 vehicles in the parking lot. People in a couple of the vehicles appeared to be staying overnight, although a sign indicated this is prohibited. Others were probably camping although I only saw two sets of campers. My concern is about how much Tillamook County enforces its rules on the Spit.

SUMMARY

Human activity, possibly illegal, was noticeable on this late spring trip. Camping, possibly parking overnight, and setting of fires were all in evidence. The question is how much does Tillamook County allow on the Bayocean Spit and does it enforce its rules?

OBSERVER

YaakovM EMAIL • REPORT PUBLISHED 12/15/08 8:37 PM • EDITED 12/15/08 9:45 PM

PHOTOS

PRINTER-FRIENDLY