Mile 220 - Yaquina Head north, Schooner Creek south - March 7, 2019

Report Details

Difficult to stay upbeat along Schooner South today as the "microplastic" debris is overwhelming. In doing a COASST survey on the same day in a 20"x20" survey square I had 225 (!!!) pieces of plastic with 62 nurdles, 57 pieces of styrofoam and multiple other pieces. We also had lots of plastic bottles on the south end of Schooner and many pieces of nylon and polyethelene rope. The erosion is revealing more of the plastic black pipes that are now starting to break mid-cliff level. No deceased birds seen. 2 crabs noted in high wrack line.

Conditions

Temperature: 48 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light.

Human Activities

Number of people: 4. Number of dogs: 2. Walking or running: 3. Fishing: 1.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 3.

Driftline Content

Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Styrofoam, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.). SO MUCH PLASTIC!!!! At least 1/2 of the Schooner beach mile had small plastic debris along the drift line.

Man-made Modifications

Stream modification. City of Newport has cut down trees and have put in a (temporary?) pipe as well as using a backhoe to clear space just East of the access road.

Natural Changes

Landslides/major boulder falls, Major cracks appearing in bluffs, Newly exposed roots/trees falling, Visible retreat of solid bluff.

Actions & Comments

There has been an incredible amount of erosion in the last 2 months. See attached photos.