Mile 154 - Oregon Dunes NRA, west of Butterfly Lake - October 10, 2019

Report Details

Four Eugene Hikers parked in Tahkenitch Campground parking lot, hiked Dunes Trail, and entered beach at Emergency Sign #115. One other car observed at start and one truck observed upon leaving parking lot. Hikers backtracked for their return and were on Mile 154 from about 11:00 am - 1:00 pm. It was a beautiful, calm, sunny day (65 degree temp). No other people or dogs and fewer than 10 gulls observed. There was a little dried seaweed, many crab molt and few other shells, a few small jellyfish. Eugene Hikers collected a full sack of debris/litter from the south of Mile 154 beach (area where motor vehicles permitted) including a boot, shoes, large plastic piece, styrofoam, 15 plastic water bottles, glass bottles, car bumper piece, rope (from boat/ship), small wood pieces (from a dock?).

Conditions

Temperature: 65 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 6.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 4. Other Activities: There were no other people seen on Mile 154, except 4 Eugene Hikers. There were no dogs. The Eugene Hikers picked up one full yard sack of litter/debris. (See attached picture). There was one other car in Tahkenitch Campground parking lot upon arrival. There was one additional truck in this lot as Eugene Hikers were leaving.

Concerns

Litter

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 2.

Notable Wildlife

Observed fewer than 10 gulls

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Styrofoam, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.). In addition to seaweed, crab molt, a few shells, there was the following land and ocean based debris found in the south Mile 154 beach area (where vehicles are permitted): wood pieces (eg from a dock?), a hiking boot, 4 individual shoes, large plastic piece, 15 water bottles, 2 glass bottles (one liquor), styrofoam, portion of a car bumper, green rope (from boat/ship).

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune.