Surfrider Foundation Portland Chapter Monthly Meeting

14 March 2006

www.Surfrider.org/portland

Portlandsurfrider@hotmail.com

Introductions:   What is your name?  What do you want to be when you grow up? Members Presents: Melissa Gilbert, Andi Bernard, Tina Torri, Jocelyn Gary, Haley Brown, John Thompson, Dave Spencer, Markus Mead, Pete Stauffer, Greg Misslin, Jason Wasserman, Kristi Rothenbucher, and Mike Albers.

Updates

  1. Treasury Report – Markus: No new donations to report.
  1. Ocean Policy – Pete: FLORENCE - SHORELINE HARDENING: The Lane County Board of Commissioners recently approved a zoning change that will permit the construction of riprap in Shelter Cove, near the Siuslaw River jetties. The shoreline-hardening project is intended to protect several houses that were built approximately 40 feet from the coastal bluff in the early 90's (the legal set back is 160) feet. Several Surfrider members in the area were active in opposing this zoning change through writing letters, submitting comments, and attending the Lane County hearing. Although the Board of Commissioners did approve the decision, some consideration was given to mitigating impacts of the project: the riprap will be installed entirely above water and limited in volume and extents. Nevertheless, the approval represents yet another example of a poorly conceived development project triggering the "need" for shoreline hardening, and interruption of Oregon's natural coastal processes. Surfrider Foundation – Oregon Chapter was contacted to become a co-applicant onto a Land Use Board of Appeals appeal to the zone change approval. Florence-area Surfrider volunteers have declined that offer and the Oregon Chapter will therefore not be an applicant in zone change appeal. Florence-area Surfrider volunteers would like to offer their personal and organizational expertise toward designing a cliff stabilization plan that will preserve property owners’ homes and recreational, tourism and ecological interests. http://www.surfrider.org/oregon/2006/03/florence-rip-rap-comments-from.html

DOUG'S BEACH: WINDSURFING ACCESS THREATENED: Public access is threatened at one of the premier windsurfing locations in the country. 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. Surfrider submitted comments to the Columbia River Gorge Commission requesting a reversal on the decision (read at http://www.surfrider.org/oregon/index.html), and is considering supporting the Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association in the filing of an appeal. For further information on how you can get involved:
http://windsurf.gorge.net/cgwa/dougs_news.htm
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SaveDougsBeach/

NEWPORT: WATER QUALITY WORKGROUP: On Feb 21st, members of the Mayor's Committee Concerning Water Issues toured the Newport Wastewater Treatment Plant with City Engineer Lee Ritzman and Superintendent John Ritchey. Comprised of concerned citizens, including several Surfrider members, staff from the Hatfield Aquarium, business owners, and two city council members, the workgroup was established to collaboratively identify solutions to water quality issues in Newport. During the tour, the workgroup examined the facility, and reviewed the treatment procedure, master plan document, and notification protocol. At this month's meeting, members of the workgroup will present their findings on possible enhancements to beach signage and public notification procedures.   

  1. Reminder: SOLVE Beach Clean-Up- Haley: Pacific City, Saturday  March 25th, 2006, 10:00AM – 1PM  We need three more volunteers for to man the booth!  Please contact Haley if you can!
  2. Reminder: Hwy 101 Clean Up March 19th, 2006- Greg:  Meet at Moolack Beach Parking lot at 12:00 PM (noon) with appropriate clothes and gloves.  Potluck BBQ (Tuna) will follow around 4PM. THIS EVENT WAS CANCELED!

 

Main Presentation

5.      Pint Night- Jocelyn, Mike, Melissa: This will take place on Tuesday April 11th, 2006 from 7PM till 12AM (midnight) at the A&L Sports Bar (5933 NE Glisan, Portland, OR 97213 (off 60th and Glisan).  Pints will be on sale for $4.50.  We’ll be showing the Sea to Summit (Surfrider’s Video), and Step into Liquid, possibly the North Shore.  We’ll also be holding a raffle and have gotten a good response from various local businesses for donations (thanks to Mike).  Kona Brewing Company has given us 6 cases of pint glasses towards the event.  They will help with promotions and have offered to make signs for the event.  Kona will be there that night to help with the event and will give out Kona swag.  They’ve also donated some articles for the raffle we’re going to hold at the event.  We’ll be promoting the event through TV stations, radio, hopefully newspapers, and through the Internet.  If you have any contacts we could definitely use them! DON’T FORGET!  THE PINT NIGHT WILL HAPPEN IN PLACE OF THE NEXT MEETINGTUESDAY, APRIL 11, 7PM @ THE A&L ON 60TH & NE GLISAN. *21 AND OVER*6.      Band Fundraiser- Jason Wasserman: Jason Wasserman brought up the idea of having a fundraiser with some local bands at the Fez Ballroom (316 SW 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97205, (503) 221-7262) downtown.  He set the date for May 18th with the bands; The Decliners, Rambling Rose, Bad Goat, American Roulette, and 2 DJs: Rubio and Stealth; each will play for 45 mins., and there will be 15 talks in-between on how the water cycle is affected given from the perspective of a kayakers, surfer, windsurfer, kite boarders, snowboarders, skier, a talk on what’s happening with regards to policy campaigns and what our chapter is focusing on, and our Blue Water Task Force/Educational programs.  Jason paid the $100.00 fee for the room and we can start the promotions and what not for the event.  We should look into finding underwriters for the event. Provide such said underwriters with a quantity of tickets and drink tickets, maybe even some swag or Surfrider T’s. The underwriter pays upfront for this option.
Title for event: Surfrider presents The Water Werks Session or Series. The logo could be a graphic of the Monopoly board square, or it could be a photo of someone filling his or her Surfrider Pint glass with water from a tap. We also spoke about creating a web graphic with the same concept. The drips of water could be roll over links to Surfrider, Snowrider, Kayaking, Fisherman, etc.  We also mentioned the faucet as a symbol of clean water and how it ties in everyone, regardless of sports or interests.
  1. Tee-Shirts/Stickers: Tina Torri.  Tina got a print out from Print Wear of Oregon and decided that we wanted only Oregon/Portland chapter Tee Shirts and that we’d wait on purchasing National Tee-Shirts to sale.  The chapter decided to have the Oregon Surfrider logo on front centered and the Portland Chapter logo on back in the center (large).  Jocelyn and Andi are also getting quotes from other local companies so when they arrive we’ll vote on which company we want to go through.
8.      Opens: Doug’s Beach- Andi Bernard: We discussed the loss of parking and access at Doug's Beach, located just east of Lyle in the Columbia River Gorge scenic area. The BNSF Railroad Company has received approval to place a siding at this location. This will eliminate half of the parking at a state park that is filled to capacity during summer weekends.  Construction will extend pilings into the shoreline and may close the park for half of this year's windsurfing season. It was agreed to make an initial donation to the CGWA fund to support their legal appeal.  We will also be giving a portion of the proceeds from our May 18th event at the Fez Ballroom.  A motion was made by Andi to donate $300 to the legal defense fund for Doug’s Beach. It was seconded by Pete. The motion passed 13 to zero, with 3 abstained.



9.      Vegetate: April 2nd, 2006 Mt. Hood Meadows: If you’re interested in volunteering for this event please contact Katie Breene at kbreene@gmail.com.

Volunteer Opportunities

If you are interested in helping with or coordinating any of the following efforts please contact the Volunteer Coordinators Haley Brown (haleymarie9@hotmail.com)