Mile 313 - Tolovana Park north, Haystack Rock - September 20, 2011

Report Details

we feel that we are finally making some progress with the Ecola Outfall issue.Charlie Plybon from Surfrider, and Mike Manzulli from the Ecola Watershed have been great allies.also keeping an eye on that new construction. Its very close to the top of the vegetation line, and there is indication of some clearing for a possible staircase to the beach. there is a public access less than 3 feet from the property.we haven't seen any applications on the county website. Yet, we are watchful.....

Conditions

Temperature: 65 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 3.5 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 163. Number of dogs: 13. Walking or running: 150. Playing in sand: 3. Photography: 6. Tidepooling: 4. people were enjoying a beautiful day

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 30.

Notable Wildlife

hundreds of small birds swirling around off shore. Didn't carry binoculars, so couldn't identify them.Auks? Murres?

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 1. gull

Driftline Content

Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Shells, Wood pieces.

Actions & Comments

sand has continued to wash ashore, most ( all?) cobbles at Haystack Rock submerged now. A new, temporary sign, has been taped to the existing ones at the Ecola Outfall. It uses stronger warning language. We attended a Public Works meeting today, where it was passed as written. Now going to City Council for approval. The test numbers from this week are high again: 344 enterococci, despite the experimental mushroom bags that were installed in the pipe. They have been used in oysterbeds to keep contaminants away. The city has also contracted with a firm specializing in finding contamination sources in outfalls. We are hopeful that this issue will be finally settled by the start of next tourist season, at the latest.