When the F/V Chevelle sank inside the Newport Jettys not all of it was recovered.
Soon Harbor Seals and nesting birds will move into the almost pristine cobblestone beach at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area. I say almost pristine for a reason. This otherwise beautiful beach has been plagued by a massive tangle of rope and mangled metal debris that has come ashore on a difficult to access beach. Volunteers have spent 5 days trying to cut their way through this massive mound of rope, metal and floats. At least two tons, maybe more, have remained on the beach. Despite numerous clean-up outings it will take many more OR a huge turnout of volunteers this upcoming weekend to finish it off.
This weekend is last one that this area will be accessible to people until very late in August or the beginning of September. It’s because wildlife needs to be isolated from humans while birthing and raising their young. But with the help of enough volunteers at this last cleanup, we may, just may, be able to declare victory over this massive environmental hazard and keep it from washing up and down and over and into tide pools, endangering Harbor Seals and birds becoming ensnared or mistakenly nesting in a shifting mass of rope and metal.
Crab Gear Cleanup – Yaquina Head April 27 & 28
When: April 27th and 28th, 2013, 7am-12pm both days.
Where: Yaquina Head Lighthouse cobble beach – sign in at interpretive center and then proceed
to the lighthouse. The cobble beach is down the stairway on the south side of the parking area.
Directions: Heading north on highway 101 in Newport take a left near the northern end of
Newport at NW Lighthouse Dr. Follow that road to the fee booth and follow signs for the
interpretive center. All volunteers must check in, sign the waiver, and obtain a parking pass at
the interpretive center before proceeding to Cobble Beach for the cleanup. Since we are doing
this cleanup so early, volunteers may have to obtain parking passes once the interpretive center
officially opens.
Contact: Peter Snell: nptsurfridercc@gmail.com (541-520-5174) RSVP by e-mail appreciated
