Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Access to Doug's Beach Threatened
The BNSF Railroad Company has received approval to place a siding at Doug's Beach, located just east of Lyle in the Columbia River Gorge scenic area. This is expected to eliminate half of the parking at a state park that is filled to capacity during summer weekends. It will also cause long delays for visitors exiting and entering the park. Parked trains will ruin the view in a manner that opposes the intent of the Gorge Scenic Act. Construction will extend pilings into the shoreline and will close the park for half of this year's windsurfing season.
for further information on how you can get involved:
http://windsurf.gorge.net/cgwa/dougs_news.htm
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SaveDougsBeach/
Click here to view public comments from Surfrider Foundation Oregon Chapter.
for further information on how you can get involved:
http://windsurf.gorge.net/cgwa/dougs_news.htm
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SaveDougsBeach/
Click here to view public comments from Surfrider Foundation Oregon Chapter.
Comments:
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SURFRIDER COMMENTS SUBMITTED TO COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE COMMISSION
Dear Commissioners,
On behalf of our nearly 500 members in Oregon, the Surfrider Foundation would like to express its concern regarding the Commission’s decision to approve the land use application of BNSF Railway Co. to construct a railroad siding and associated utility structures.
Doug’s Beach is an internationally recognized windsurfing location, and a resource that provides significant (and sustainable) recreational, economic, ecological, aesthetic value to citizens of the Pacific Northwest. Construction of the railroad siding would result in a number of negative impacts to the public including:
• Loss of lands designated for recreation
• Permanent limitations on public access
• Ecological impacts (pilings in the river, leaks from parked locomotives)
• Reduced public safety (parked trains may block view of oncoming trains)
• Degraded aesthetics in a Scenic Area
Furthermore, the Oregon Chapter of Surfrider Foundation respectfully submits that the Commission’s decision to approve the BNSF Railway Co.’s land use application is inconsistent with Commission Rule 350-81-500 referenced in the decision document. One of the three approval criteria for Non-Recreation Uses in GMA Public Recreation Designations states:
The proposed use will not interfere with existing or approved public recreation uses on the subject property or adjacent lands. Mitigation measures used to comply with this criterion may include provision of onsite buffer, seasonal or temporary closures during peak recreation periods, etc.
The CRGC decision document acknowledges that Doug’s Beach is perhaps the premier expert windsurfing spot in entire western United States, due to the unique physical characteristics (i.e., wind, waves, geographic orientation, etc.) of the site. Yet, the decision authorizes that mitigation may be completed off-site by identifying and enhancing a replacement area. As thousands of Gorge sailors can attest, the loss of public access at Doug’s Beach cannot be appropriately mitigated by simply “developing” a new site.
Accordingly, the Surfrider Foundation, on behalf of our nearly 500 members in the state of Oregon, urges you to consider reversing your decision on Doug’s Beach Recreational Area.
The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's oceans, waves, and beaches for all people, through conservation, activism, research and education. Surfrider membership is comprised of surfers, windsurfers, divers, beachgoers, fishermen, and wildlife enthusiasts – people who spend a significant amount of time on the coast and in the water. Represented by over 50,000 members and 60 local chapters in the U.S., Surfrider Foundation believes that healthy coastal communities are sustained by healthy rivers and oceans.
Sincerely,
Peter Stauffer
Oregon Policy Coordinator
Surfrider Foundation
Andi Bernard
Vice Chair: Portland Chapter Surfrider Foundation
Post a Comment
Dear Commissioners,
On behalf of our nearly 500 members in Oregon, the Surfrider Foundation would like to express its concern regarding the Commission’s decision to approve the land use application of BNSF Railway Co. to construct a railroad siding and associated utility structures.
Doug’s Beach is an internationally recognized windsurfing location, and a resource that provides significant (and sustainable) recreational, economic, ecological, aesthetic value to citizens of the Pacific Northwest. Construction of the railroad siding would result in a number of negative impacts to the public including:
• Loss of lands designated for recreation
• Permanent limitations on public access
• Ecological impacts (pilings in the river, leaks from parked locomotives)
• Reduced public safety (parked trains may block view of oncoming trains)
• Degraded aesthetics in a Scenic Area
Furthermore, the Oregon Chapter of Surfrider Foundation respectfully submits that the Commission’s decision to approve the BNSF Railway Co.’s land use application is inconsistent with Commission Rule 350-81-500 referenced in the decision document. One of the three approval criteria for Non-Recreation Uses in GMA Public Recreation Designations states:
The proposed use will not interfere with existing or approved public recreation uses on the subject property or adjacent lands. Mitigation measures used to comply with this criterion may include provision of onsite buffer, seasonal or temporary closures during peak recreation periods, etc.
The CRGC decision document acknowledges that Doug’s Beach is perhaps the premier expert windsurfing spot in entire western United States, due to the unique physical characteristics (i.e., wind, waves, geographic orientation, etc.) of the site. Yet, the decision authorizes that mitigation may be completed off-site by identifying and enhancing a replacement area. As thousands of Gorge sailors can attest, the loss of public access at Doug’s Beach cannot be appropriately mitigated by simply “developing” a new site.
Accordingly, the Surfrider Foundation, on behalf of our nearly 500 members in the state of Oregon, urges you to consider reversing your decision on Doug’s Beach Recreational Area.
The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's oceans, waves, and beaches for all people, through conservation, activism, research and education. Surfrider membership is comprised of surfers, windsurfers, divers, beachgoers, fishermen, and wildlife enthusiasts – people who spend a significant amount of time on the coast and in the water. Represented by over 50,000 members and 60 local chapters in the U.S., Surfrider Foundation believes that healthy coastal communities are sustained by healthy rivers and oceans.
Sincerely,
Peter Stauffer
Oregon Policy Coordinator
Surfrider Foundation
Andi Bernard
Vice Chair: Portland Chapter Surfrider Foundation
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