The Lane County Board of Commissioners recently approved a zoning change that will permit the construction of rip rap in Shelter Cove - along the north shore of the Siuslaw River 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. Because the applicants have not supplied a detailed project description or drawings, it is unknown if the proposal would affect nearby waves. 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 rip rap will be installed entirely above water and limited in volume and extents. Nevertheless, the approval represents the latest example of a poorly conceived development project triggering the "need" for shoreline hardening, and interruption of Oregon's natural coastal processes.
See Surfrider comments submitted at: http://www.surfrider.org/oregon/2006/03/florence-rip-rap-comments-from.html
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 Foundation volunteers have declined that offer and the Oregon Chapter will therefore not be an applicant in zone change appeal. Florence-area Surfrider Foundation 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.
