In response to an appeal from the Surfriders, the CRC board approved sending letters pro testing expansion of the seawall in Ocean Shores. The following letter was sent to Governor Locke, Director Fitzsimmons of the DOE, and Representative Norm Dicks.
May 21, 1998
Dear Governor Locke,
We are writing to urge you to exercise leadership and take action to preserve our state's beaches. In Ocean Shores, an "emergency" seawall was constructed two years ago. The permit under which this seawall was constructed required that it be re moved by May 15, 1998. Instead, plans are to expand the seawall with further armoring and geo-textile bumpers.As a citizens group concerned about water issues in the Chehalis Basin, we feel compelled to speak out on behalf of the public throughout the State of Washing ton who enjoy our state's beaches. The beaches belong to all of us, and all property owners along the beaches also have an interest in policies that will effectively pre vent erosion. We believe that the armoring recommended for this section of the beach will cause long-term harm to the beaches at great cost of the taxpayers.
We are also concerned that local government listens to advice and funds solutions from only a single engineering firm, Pacific International Engineering. Instead, the issue of beach erosion should be addressed in a comprehensive way informed by sound science. The Coastal Erosion study under way by the Department of Ecology should provide a basis for well-thought-out actions. This approach should not be undercut by "emergency" quick fixes that benefit a few and cause great dam age to the beaches long-term.
Please do what you can to protect our beaches for all of us as a heritage for future generations.
Dave Palmer, CRC
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