In November of 2006 an emergency riprap permit was issued after a series of storms eroded the bluffs in front of two properties on the south corner of Stevens St. and Neptune Ave. in Gleneden Beach, OR. Stevens St. is a very popular beach break and recreational area important to many local surfers, fisherman and beachgoers. In February of 2007 the applications were received by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to make these riprap structures permanent. The Beach bill has specific provisions that do not allow the converting of temporary riprap to permanent in such cases. Riprap structures cause further erosion of the beach and adjacent bluffs and successive riprap structures will follow from the erosion created by these structures. The end result of this could be a solid wall of riprap along Gleneden Beach. Riprap also causes beach erosion by covering the sand source (the bluff) with huge rocks. This will begin narrowing the beach until it ultimately dissappears!
How can you help?
Visit Ocean Pulse Surf Shop or Ossie's Surf Shop (Newport) or Oregon Surf Shop (Lincoln City) and sign our petition. Make your voice heard at the public hearing Wednesday, May 9th, 2007 at 7pm at the Gleneden Beach Fire Hall, 6445 Gleneden Beach Loop, Gleneden Beach. For more information on shoreline structures visit http://www.surfrider.org/structures or to find out how you can help our campaign contact: cplybon@surfrider.org.