May 6, 2010

Report Details

May 6th was as perfect a day as Nature can provide for enjoying our beautiful Oregon Coastline: cobalt blue sea, waves to 3", picture perfect waves crashing into blazingly brilliant white surf, all enjoyed at low tide. A flock of 7 Semipalmated Sandpipers, closely followed by twoSanderlings. Other than a few gulls, the birdlife was elsewhere today. Snowy Plover habitat marked by signs and stakes. Shells, animal casings(crab),broken sand dollars, Styrofoam, and land- and ocean-based debris in the driftline. Sadly, Miles 125 and 126 seem to catch more than their share of trash. I spoke with BLM veteran Theresa Bolch during my ride. She and her seasonal assistant, Morgan, had picked up all the recyclables in that stretch only the day before, and yet high tide had planted a whole new crop of every conceivableplastic as well as 2 pallets, 2 tires, 8 whiskey decanters of one type, and buckets. I disabled the buckets by removing their bails, then collected 2 bags to haul home on my saddle. Most curious and confounding was the plethora of large red light bulbs, as well as mercury vapor bulbs and florescents, and small incandescents. It seems these would be tempting for a sea mammal to taste, and the results would be terrible. The Coastal Conference, beginning withthe slide show/lecture by photographer Gary Braasch, was so informative and well done. Thepresentation by Lincoln City Mayor Lori Hollingsworth was inspiring...how one town with smart leadership and determination can reduce its carbon footprint. And the new movie just out, "Oceans", is a must-see for all Coast Watchers, and anyone who cares about this earth...our only home.

Conditions

Temperature: 67 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: W. Tide Level: 3.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 2. Other Activities: BLM patrol. BLM ranger Theresa Bolch on patrol with seasonal assistant, Morgan. They had filled their vehicle with recyclable litter from mile 125, while checking on thearea set aside for Snowy Plover nesting. BLM did notuse orange plastic fencing this year, but placed stakesabout every 300 feet warning people away. The two trucks hauling ATVs were traveling on the sand roadlegally. I do not know their destination, but the beach is well posted at both ends that there may be no motorized vehicles until Sept. 15.

Concerns

Litter

Apparent violations: none.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 2. ATVs/OHVs parking: 4.

Notable Wildlife

A few gulls in flight. A flock of 7Semipalmated Sandpipers temporarilymoved away from my horse. They were closely followed by 2 Sanderlings.

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

The waterline left a trail of broken sand dollars, clam shells, and crab shells both whole a broken. Small black rocks, volcanic looking. A few prettystones.

Driftline Content

Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Shells, Small rocks, Styrofoam. 2 tires, 2 pallets, an assortment of light bulbs. Plastics of all types, and many glass bottles. Whiskey decanters.

Man-made Modifications

none

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune.

Actions & Comments

BLM employees I encountered agreed with me that Miles125 and 126 seem to catch most of the trash on the beach. These miles are the 2 closest to the North Jettyon the North Spit. The current seems to concentrate ahorrific amount of trash here. I have spoken to a SOLVrepresentative about holding a pickup day here, and also a supervisor for State Parks, but the overridingproblem is transportation of workers to this area. I will contact Theresa Bolch to see if BLM has any way to do this. A local Boy Scout troop, for instance, could really make a difference if they adopted thesemiles for regular litter pickup.