Local residents and area surfers are kicking off a campaign to Save Short Sands Beach in Oswald West State Park from toxic spraying. The forests surrounding Oregon’s most popular surfing beach have been extensively clearcut and are scheduled for spraying with a toxic mix of pesticides.
On Saturday, September 24, Rockaway Beach Citizens for Watershed Protection is leading a coalition of conservation groups in educational outreach at Oswald West State Park. Join us from 11:00 to 1:00 (in the main parking lot) to learn more about what’s happening in forests around the park and in other coastal forests. Experts will be onsite to discuss the issues. Educational materials, stickers and posters will be available.
During aerial spraying, toxic pesticides drift into the park and wash directly into streams that flow to Short Sands beach. Weyerhaeuser has clearcut 80 parcels of forestland on Oregon’s north coast, including several that border Oswald West State Park, Arch Cape, and Neahkahnie Mountain. Other companies do the same thing elsewhere on the coast and across Oregon.
Saturday’s “Save Short Sands” event kicks off our latest effort to improve public notification about toxic spraying, raise awareness about the dangers of such spraying, and ultimately reform Oregon’s outdated Forest Practices Act (the weakest on the West Coast).
Join us to demand timely public notification of this toxic spraying! Then let’s work together to stop our exposure to toxic pesticides in drinking water and while surfing, swimming, fishing, or hiking in Oregon’s beautiful parks and beyond.
Act Now! Learn more at the Save Short Sands website.
Update: Our Kick-off Campaign was a Success!
Thanks to everyone who turned out for our event at Oswald West State Park. Our dedicated, passionate, and knowledgable members and supporters talked with and educated hundreds of people.
