Mile 312 - Cannon Beach, Tolovana Park south - September 13, 2008

Report Details

This beach is a heavily visited area from late spring to fall. Mile 312 has at least 11 access points and many homes in the adjacent area. Debris from human activity is a problem throughout the year. On my daily walks, I usually find much more debris than I can carry home in a plastic bag. I always find fishing ropes and pieces of netting and other junk from the fishing boats andships. Of concern to me, is yard debris showing up in the wrack line in the spring months. I hope to track this down this year. I realize this is biodegradable, but surely this is not right. Many sea and shore birds breed here with nesting Oystercatchers, Western Gulls, Pelagic Cormorants, Murres and even Puffins close by and all feeding in the ocean on this mile. Brown Pelicans are always seen in the summer months. The rocks on this beach appear to have healthy populations of musssels and barnacles with occassional sea stars.

Conditions

Temperature: 65 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 2.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 100. Number of dogs: 20. Walking or running: 50. Playing in surf: 5. Sitting: 30. Photography: 5. Tidepooling: 10. Other Activities: 3 horses. I have 11 access points on beach#312. This day I observed about 100 cars/rvs at the Tolovana Wayside. I accessed the beach at Susitna where there were no cars at this time. Cars are not allowed.

Concerns

Climbing bluffs/seastacks, Fire, Litter

Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 80. RVs/Buses parking: 20.

Notable Wildlife

Nothing unusual today. A light mid beach wrack with small amounts of seaweed.

Beached Birds

No dead birds noted

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

The occassional crab or barnicle shell

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Shells, Small rocks, Styrofoam, Wood pieces. Light debris today. Dog poop noted

New Development

Bluff development, Steps down bluff.

Man-made Modifications

Dune modification/removal, Beachgrass planting or removal, New riprap or shoreline protection structures. As above. I will watch this area and perhaps inquire as to what has happened.

Actions & Comments

Looks like erosion control is being attempted in a small area on the sandy bluff below 2 small homes. I will be observing this area. Litter (plastic, food, dog feces, clothing items) is a problem directly north and south of Tolovan Inn. This area is heavily used by day trippers as the closest area to the parking lot. There are semi- permanent metal fire pits on the beach below the Inn. I assume they have permits for this. I expect they will be removed soon. There are many fires during the evening hours on most days. On this day I counted 9 on beach 312.