Mile 238 - Salishan Spit, North Lagoon, Siletz Bay - October 8, 2023

Report Details

Beach was calm and litter-free. Stranded seal was a concern and was reported. More beach accesses are closed leaving very few access points that can be safely used.

Conditions

Temperature: 60 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light.

Human Activities

Number of people: 13. Number of dogs: 6. Walking or running: 13.

Concerns

Apparent violations: None.

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 1. Seal (not a baby) in distress on the beach. Lying on back but trying to flip over. Flapping fins. Trying to raise head up. I called OCA, then the distressed animal hotline. Also called a friend who is a mammalogist at OCA. They all said there was nothing that could be done, let nature take its course.

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces.

Man-made Modifications

Beachgrass planting or removal, New riprap or shoreline protection structures. Riprap projects continue along Mile 238.

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune. Public accesses from Salishan Drive to the beach are mostly unusable. Access is possible at access #50B, at property #281/283, and at the end of the road (access #50). Other accesses are either taped off or drop-offs have been created by tides and weather.

Actions & Comments

Warning people about the unsafe accesses, to avoid riprap work areas (whether work is in progress or at rest), and to leave stranded animals alone (reporting them is urged, if only to allow for statistics to be calculated and evaluated).