October 8, 2011

A couple issues of concern noted during this visit:1) Incursion on foredune and development of area adjoining foredune at midpoint of mile; and2) Evidence of vehicle driving on beach in closed area.

Report Details

A couple issues of concern noted during this visit:1) Incursion on foredune and development of area adjoining foredune at midpoint of mile; and2) Evidence of vehicle driving on beach in closed area.Am providing photos of foredune development.

Conditions

Temperature: 64 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: SW. Tide Level: 3.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 15. Walking or running: 11. Photography: 1. Other Activities: 2 horseback riding; 1 bicycling. Noted fresh tire tracks from vehicle with long wheelbase and wide tires (pick-up? truck?) in sand outside allowed area; did not see vehicle.

Concerns

Apparent violations: structure erected on foredune.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 15.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Shells, Small rocks, Wood pieces.

New Development

Bluff development, Steps down bluff.

Man-made Modifications

Dune modification/removal. See comments below.

Actions & Comments

At midpoint of mile 287 (N 45.531368; W 123.952037), top of foredune has been flattened and square wooden structure erected. A trail from beach over foredune to property behind foredune has been constructed, including steps carved into east side of foredune. A fenced pen containing goats and a picnic table have been placed at the end of a roadway in the lee of the foredune.No action taken - am aware that there are still privately owned parcels of land on the spit and assume that development is being undertaken by owner. Roadway showed evidence of frequent use; am puzzled at how access is being gained, given that access road is gated and locked. Am concerned with modifications being undertaken, wonder if they are legal or not.

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C Nelson

CoastWatcher

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Mile 287

Bayocean Peninsula north of Bayocean site 2

March 17, 2024

The cloudy marine layer that was present when we first arrived eventually burned off, providing us with a pleasant but breezy sunny afternoon for our visit. 1) We encountered an intact hull of a fiberglass boat on the mid-section of the mile; photos and location information was provided to the State Park Ranger so it could be retrieved from the beach. 2) There had been a massive influx of velella velella (by-the-wind sailors) washed ashore several days before our visit. 3) Given the number of folks in the parking area when we arrived, we had expected to see more folks on mile 287 but encountered just a typical number of visitors. 4) There was more detritus on the beach than we've seen in recent previous visits.

C NELSON