Coastal Conservation News Archive

A complete archive of our past news articles, beginning in Fall 2016; older articles from our previous website are available in the historical archive

Photo of coastal property south of Lost Creek, by Sara Schreiber.
November 18, 2015

State Parks Approves Riprap Application Despite Objections

Stretch of shoreline south of Lost Creek to be riprapped. Photo by Sara Schreiber. It is no surprise to learn that the riprap application for a lot south of Newport, which had aroused the concern of some CoastWatchers, was approved by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). Those interested in seeing the approval and the conditions imposed can find...Read more
Photo of entrance to the Jordan Cove proposed LNG export facility.
November 15, 2015

Temporary Victory on Jordan Cove Land Use Appeal

Entrance to site of proposed Jordan Cove LNG export facility. Photo by Lisa Readel. For the time being, at least, Oregon Shores has succeeded in thwarting the would-be developers of an LNG (liquefied natural gas) export facility at Jordan Cove on Coos Bay’s north spit. The Jordan Cove Energy Project (a branch of Canadian corporation Veresen) had sought to “...Read more
Photo of King Tide flooding at Netarts Bay, by Tracey Schmidt.
November 3, 2015

King Tide Project Looks Toward Next Round in November

Netarts Bay shoreline during recent King Tide series. Photo by Tracey Schmidt. The first round of this year's King Tide project has now been completed, but there is still plenty of opportunity to participate. Get out your cameras and visit the coast during the final two sets of extreme high tide events this year, November 24-27 and December 23-25. For the sixth...Read more
Photo of Mike Martin standing atop Coalbank Slough debris slide.
October 20, 2015

Battle to Assure Cleanup of Coalbank Slough Continues

The long-running saga of Coalbank Slough isn’t over yet. A year ago, we announced that we had successfully settled our Clean Water act lawsuit over a 2012 debris slide that had severely polluted the slough, a tributary of Coos Bay. It had been a long struggle to that point, over a year and a half, but we thought we had obtained an agreement from Johnson Rock Products (JRP), the perpetrators of...Read more
Photo of purple water.
October 19, 2015

Cause Identified for Purple Tides Noted by CoastWatchers

Mysterious purple patches are being observed along the coast. The answer to the summer's trick CoastWatch question, "What is causing the purple water?" turned out to be "salps." Numerous reports came in over a period of weeks concerning “purple water” or “a gelatinous purple mass” in the water. It took a while to determine the cause, and several suspects were suggested. Finally, though, Caren...Read more
Photo of women recording beached bird data on the beach.
October 19, 2015

Beached Bird Training Available to South Coast

Conducting the beached bird survey. Photo courtesy of COASST. Those of you at the southern end of the Oregon shore who would like to learn about the beached bird survey can gain an opportunity by traveling a bit further south. A training will take place across the border on Sunday, Oct. 25, noon-5 p.m., at the Del Norte County Fairgrounds Board Room, 421 Hwy...Read more
Oregon's nearshore ocean from Ecola State Park. Photo by Bruce Swenson.
October 19, 2015

ODFW Nearshore Conservation Strategy Prompts Oregon Shores Comments

In late July, Oregon Shores submitted a five-page letter of comment on the draft 2015 – 2025 Nearshore Conservation Strategy prepared by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). Bob Bailey, Oregon Shores Ocean Committee Chair, also presented testimony to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission at...Read more
October 12, 2015

Next Round of Hearings for New State Park Announced

The second round of public meetings concerning the new state park to be developed on the Sand Lake spit has been announced. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is working on a plan for the former “Beltz Farm” property, acquired for the public and slated to become a largely natural state park. On Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016, the advisory committee meets 1-4 p.m. at the Kiawanda Community Center...Read more
Pistol River meets the sea. Photo by Mureen Walker.
October 10, 2015

South Coast Mining Opponents Await Next Phase

The public comment period concerning mining proposals aimed at the headwaters of south coast rivers has ended. Now we wait for the next phase. Public meetings held Sept. 9-10 in Gold Beach and Grants Pass by the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service, attended by more than 400 people, were a watershed moment in public demand for protection of the south coast’s near-pristine rivers. Of...Read more
Photo of the North Spit at Coos Bay and the Jordan Cove Site. Photo by Alex Derr.
October 9, 2015

Decision Delayed on Jordan Cove Appeal

Citing a wide range of errors and oversights, Oregon Shores appealed Coos County’s administrative approval of the proposed Jordan Cove LNG (liquefied natural gas) facility on the North Spit. The public hearing on our appeal took place May 29, we subsequently filed our rebuttal arguments to the developer's counter-claims, and we awaited the decision. And waited. And waited. We have now learned...Read more