SAVE THE DATE

Join us on Earth Day for our April Community Meeting where two important topics will be discussed.

Nedonna Beach- Protecting Wetlands and Drinking Water in Nedonna Beach

Neighbors and community members are actively working to protect the remaining freshwater, forested, and shrub wetlands in the Nedonna Beach neighborhood. The City of Rockaway Beach recently approved a new 28-house development in an area of Nedonna Beach that is designated as "wetlands" by both federal and county agencies.

The entire Nedonna Beach neighborhood, which consists of approximately 360 homes, is also designated by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) as a "drinking water source area for groundwater wells." These wells serve as a backup water supply for the city when Jetty Creek, the primary drinking water source, becomes too muddy or experiences low stream flow.

There are several compelling reasons why this new housing development is problematic, including increased risks of flooding, single egress for the entire neighborhood, wildfires and saltwater intrusion into the drinking water supply. Moreover, while the new development will be connected to the city sewer system, about 75 percent of the existing homes in Nedonna Beach are outside the city limits and rely on septic systems, many of which are in poor condition.

The Oregon Shores Conservation Council, represented by the Crag Law Center, filed an appeal against the City's approval of the subdivision, but the City denied the appeal. The case is now being reviewed by the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA).

Join us for a conversation on how we can work together to protect this special place! We’d love to hear your thoughts on what actions should be taken and how you might be able to contribute.

Nehalem Watershed- Nehalem Must Stop Logging in Its Watershed

The Nehalem watershed was clear-cut by a logging company and then transferred to the city, possibly in the 1940s. In the 1980s, seeking new sources of income, the city began the practice of logging the watershed in stages, with the aim of generating revenue over time. Now, nearly 40 years later, only the steepest slopes remain untouched, with the majority of the area having been logged.This year marks the end of the city’s 25-year contract with a timber management firm. A speaker will address the ongoing issues, present the goals of a local conservation group, and explore alternative options the city could pursue. Additionally, the speaker will discuss how the community can get involved in protecting the watershed’s future.

SAVE THE DATE

Board of Forestry Meeting on September 4-5

Please save the dates for the upcoming Board of Forestry Meeting on September 4-5! Tell the Board of Forestry you are concerned about clearcutting, pesticide spraying, and drinking water quality and quantity in Northwest Oregon. Urge the Board to take initiative to protect residential and recreational areas that will be harmed by the detrimental impacts of industrial logging practices. Request more public participation in decision making processes, more transparency, and more timely notice for all logging operations. Help protect and amplify the voices of residents impacted by ODF clearcuts like Mothball Hill and Davis Ridge. Urge a cessation of all logging, pesticide spraying, and slash burning within drinking watersheds within Oregon, regardless of land ownership. Your voice and support matters! 

This meeting will take place at the Salem Headquarters (Oregon Department of Forestry Headquarters, 2600 State Street, Salem, OR 97310) but will also offer virtual participation via Zoom. 

While the agenda, board packet, and registration form for public comment have not yet been released, please keep an eye out for these at this webpage: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/board/Pages/bofmeetings.aspx

SAVE OUR WETLANDS

Good News: Nedonna Wave Appeal Referred to LUBA

As most of you know, the RB City Council voted unanimously in December to deny the appeal of the approval of the Nedonna Wave Planned Unit Development. The Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition has filed an appeal with the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA). Oregon Shores' legal representatives are from the Crag Law Center.

To learn more about LUBA, go to https://www.oregon.gov/luba/Pages/Frequently-Asked-Questions.aspx.

NCCWP hopes this action will help prevent further development in the area for several important reasons: First, this land is a wetland that deserves protection; second, the development would be built above the aquifer which serves as Rockaway Beach's backup water source, thus posing a risk of contamination; finally, Nedonna Beach has only one vehicular escape route that is already insufficient in case of an emergency such as a major fire or tsunami. Adding more houses would increase this safety concern. 

The Crag Law Center is doing this legal work pro bono, and would be grateful for any donations. https://crag.org/donate/  Please see the attachment at the bottom to read the appeal they filed with LUBA.

To be sure, there will be other long-term challenges to our wetlands, drinking water, and community......likely to go beyond just the Nedonna Wave development. We need to continue to organize and speak with a strong voice. Let NCCWP know if you have thoughts about how we can speak as one to protect our wetlands and drinking water.

Important Petition Alert

Save Mothball Hill, Davis Ridge, And Slough Hill From Clearcutting

PETITION

WHEREAS, the proposed clearcuts named ‘Mothball Hill’, ‘Davis Ridge’, and ‘Slough Hill’ (Alt) in Oregon Department of Forestry Astoria District draft Annual Operations Plan for 2025 are immediately abutting numerous residential properties and recreational areas, and fail to address community concerns; 

 WHEREAS, Oregon Department of Forestry’s planned logging fails to address unprecedented climate change and does not account for the increasing coastal heat waves and water scarcity correlated with deforestation;

WHEREAS, the standard practice of pesticide applications after logging can have serious impacts on the health of neighboring residents, recreationalists, drinking water quality, and wildlife;

 WHEREAS, clearcutting and replanting practices are known to increase wildfire intensity and reduce stream flow for up to fifty years post harvest; they are known to increase risk of landslides on steep slopes, as found at ‘Mothball Hill’ and ‘Slough Hill,’ as well as increase flash floods during storm events;

 WHEREAS, the proposed logging near John Day River and Gnat Creek increases the likelihood of silt and other contaminants impacting drinking water, as well as wetlands and tributaries that are essential to salmon and other aquatic life; salmon are a native species that are endangered due to numerous industrial practices including clearcutting;

 ACCORDINGLY, Petitioners want ‘Mothball Hill’, ‘Davis Ridge’, and ‘Slough Hill’ removed from ODF’s 2025 Astoria District Annual Operations Plan and eliminated from further considerations of timber harvests in the future.

 ACCORDINGLY, Petitioners want the ODF to publicize draft Annual Operation Plans in multiple media at least two months in advance of the public comment deadline and to make a special effort to contact and meet with residents living in proximity to any planned logging before initial approval.

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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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!