“Alder but Wiser” From STOP the SPRAY B.C. and our Sister Watershed in Peachland, British Columbia, here’s an excellent report
Consider donating to support NCCWP’s efforts to ensure water security in coastal communities.
MONTHLY MEETINGS-ASTORIA
Our main work topic will be creating an outline for our comments (regarding protecting drinking water) to the Oregon Department of Forestry during their public comment period on the new Forest Management Plan.
MONTHLY MEETINGS-ROCKAWAY BEACH
North Coast Communities for Watershed Protection again will be holding regular monthly meetings the last Tuesday of each month. Meetings will take place starting at 6:00 p.m. and going until about 7:00 p.m. at the St. Mary by the Sea Parish Hall; 275 S. Pacific St.; Rockaway Beach, Or 97136.
Please consider attending the next NCCWP general membership meeting at 6:00 p.m. this Tuesday, October 28, at the St. Mary by the Sea Parish Hall - 275 S. Pacific Street in Rockaway Beach, Oregon. The meeting will focus on the following three topics:
1. The City of Rockaway Beach FEMA Pre-Implementation Compliance Measures Hearing
- Scheduled for Wednesday, November 12, at 6:00 pm at Rockaway Beach City Hall
- Updates to the City's Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan are proposed. The City's current proposal is the least protective of any of the options to protect the flood hazard areas and wetlands
- Asking for NCCWP members to provide written and oral testimony
- Templates for oral and written testimony will be developed and provided to members
2. Film: Award-Winning Documentary "The People vs. Agent Orange" to be shown in Tillamook on Saturday, November 8. Free admission.
On November 8, the powerful and eye-opening documentary "The People vs. Agent Orange" will be screened, bringing attention to one of the most toxic legacies of war and corporate power. The event will take place at the main branch of the Tillamook County Library, 1716 3rd Street in Tillamook, Oregon beginning at 1:00 p.m. (Doors open at 12:30 p.m.)
"The People vs. Agent Orange," directed by Alan Adelson and Kate Taverna, follows the decades-long fight of two extraordinary women—Vietnamese activist Tran To Nga and American Carol Van Strum—as they battle to hold the chemical industry accountable for the devastation caused by the toxic pesticide Agent Orange..
Used extensively during the Vietnam War, components of which are still sprayed domestically for forestry and agricultural purposes, Agent Orange has left a trail of environmental destruction and human suffering across generations. The film is a poignant investigation into corporate deception, government neglect, and the resilience of communities fighting back.
Following the screening, a panel discussion with Carol Van Strum and Susan Swift will offer the audience an opportunity to engage with environmental activists, scientists, and local advocates who continue the fight for justice and environmental accountability. Trailer: https://vimeo.com/user37094368/review/460648960/ebcfe738a1
3. Update on Nedonna Wave Development
Though the Rockaway Beach City Council voted unanimously to deny the Nedonna Wave developer's application during the September 9 hearing, the applicant had the option of appealing that decision to the State of Oregon's Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA). The applicant filed that appeal on October 23. We are now in contact with LUBA, Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition, and Crag Law Center to determine our next steps. We will have up-to-date information at the meeting. Meanwhile beavers and frogs stand alert.
Photo Credit: RIsa Scott
Huge THANK YOU!
Support Makes NCCWP Successful
Huge THANK YOU to everyone that helped make the screening of The People vs Agent Orange film in Astoria such a success. Denise, Cheryl, Chris, Dinah, Les, Mike, Kim and all those who helped promote, poster, set up, greet, feed and decorate, you made it a perfect evening! Thanks Dinah and Les for the great venue, food, drink, ambiance and high quality video and sound equipment. Rhonda, thank you for the fitting land acknowledgment. Having two of the film's stars in attendance sharing their experiences and being open to our questions made it very personal. If you haven't had the chance to see this impactful movie, watch this website. We are working on a screening in Tillamook County in the near future. Those of you who have signed up to FERNS (ODF's notification system) will likely see pesticide/herbicide spraying notices that list the ingredients. One of the common ones still widely used was part of the agent orange chemical compound. That is what makes this film so relevant today.
Photo Credit: RIsa Scott
Photo Credit: RIsa Scott
COASTAL FUTURES
Check out the incredible “Coastal Futures” project now on display at the Main Tillamook County Library!
North Coast Communities for Watershed Protection was honored to host and work with Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) students from the University of Oregon. Their research project, entitled Coastal Futures, focused on climate change adaptation strategies for coastal communities in Oregon. It was led by Ignacio López Busón, a UO Assistant Professor of Climate Change Resilience.
For three months, the students deeply analyzed Rockaway Beach, meeting with local stakeholders to understand community values and challenges. Their research explored paths for long-term resilience and sustainable coastal practices.The project addresses important local challenges such as coastal erosion, sea level rise, deforestation, drinking water quality, and urban development.
The “Coastal Futures” project is more than just research – it’s a demonstration of creative scholarship. This first-year UO MLA project recently received the Creative Scholarship Award from the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA), an international organization. This award recognizes outstanding student work that defines a design issue and presents a “creative intervention, technical resolution, or novel method of practice.” Winning this award is a significant honor within the academic community.
Materials showcasing the project findings, including pamphlets, maps, and graphics, are available at the library. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see innovative ideas for the future of our coast!
The maps and graphics of “Coastal Futures” are now being displayed on the Second Floor at the Main Tillamook County Library. Please come check it out!
Tillamook County Library
1716 Third Street, Tillamook, OR
Phone: 503.842.4792
Hours: Monday thru Friday: 9 am to 6 pm and Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm
JETTY CREEK 1994-2022
SOURCE OF DRINKING WATER FOR THE TOWN OF ROCKAWAY BEACH, OREGON
Trygve’s photographic timeline of Jetty Creek from 1994 through 2022.
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Meg Thompson, NCCWP Member: Letter to Senator Elizabeth Steiner
Dear Senator Elizabeth Steiner; I appreciate your desire to address fire risks to our forests. However, your Senate
The Oregon Timber Industry Won Huge Tax Cuts in the 1990s. Now It May Get Another Break Thanks to a Top Lawmaker.
As the cost of fighting wildfires increases, state Sen. Elizabeth Steiner has proposed a bill — developed in
Please Sign Our Petition
Our petition, "SAFE WATER AND AIR", is aimed at building momentum around protecting our forests and drinking watersheds.
Learn more here and share it with everyone you know.
Thank you North Coast Community!
Our Mission
North Coast Communities for Watershed Protection (NCCWP) is a grass-roots association of citizens from Rockaway Beach and surrounding communities. The group began in 2012 with the actions of one Rockaway citizen concerned about clear cutting for forestland and aerial spraying in the Jetty Creek Watershed - the sole source of her community's drinking water.
The group now partners with neighboring communities facing air- and water-quality issues and with statewide organizations advocating for forest practices that will ensure clean air and water for all living beings.
Our Goals
- To educate citizens about the connection between forest practices and the quality of their air and water.
- To advocate for forest practices that will ensure clean air and water.
- To support communities working to protect their watershed.
- No more clearcutting and pesticide spraying in our drinking water sources, regardless of land ownership.
Get Involved
There are many ways to help protect our watershed and keep our drinking water safe.
Donate
Your tax deductible donation will help us protect our watershed. Future generations will thank you!
About Us
We are a grassroots organization concerned about our watershed. We are making a difference in our community.