CITY OF OCEAN SHORES, WASHINGTON 98569
May 28, 1999
Dear Citizens;
The City of Ocean Shores has embarked on a monumental voyage that will result in a long-term strategy to manage coastal erosion and storm related flooding. Environmental and economic impacts that come as a result of a number of proposed solutions to erosion and flooding have been analyzed. That analysis is presented in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) you are about to read. The DEIS outlines its purpose, goals and objectives and sets the framework for the analysis through a description of the areas affected by erosion and flooding.
| A copy is available at the Ocean Shores web site |
The City enlisted the assistance of a team of local and regional citizens, state and federal agencies and economic analysts to author this document known as the "Interdisciplinary Team." While authoring the document, the Team recognized the significance of the Pacific Ocean shoreline to Ocean Shores, the State of Washington and to the United States itself. Because of this, analysis was done with a large audience in mind. People from all over the state, country and world come to Ocean Shores to enjoy its sandy six-mile long stretch of beach, the temperate climate and the incredible and unique wildlife habitat. People come here to relax, vacation and enjoy the quiet surroundings. Ocean Shores is the most widely used destination resort community in the State. It is imperative that all environmental and economic issues are taken into consideration in order to determine the least damaging strategy for coastal erosion management. In Ocean Shores, our environment is our economy.
The Team used a compilation of resources to analyze environmental and economic impacts. Data from the Southwest Coastal Erosion Study being developed by the United State Geological Survey and the State Department of Ecology was used to describe the existing environment and to analyze specific impacts. The Govemor's Coastal Erosion Task Force Report was used to outline issues and suggested policies for long-term management of the City's shoreline. The original Environmental Impact Statement for the Grays Harbor Deeper Draft project was consulted on occasion and the US Army Corps of Engineers supplied other relevant data. Authors of this document were specialists in the fields of coastal engineering, fish and wildlife biology, economic analysis, coastal zone management, local issues, planning, parks and recreation management and policy development.
The issuance of this DEIS is a critical first step to setting local and state policy on management of shorelines on accreted land. The selection of a preferred alternative to manage coastal erosion in Ocean Shores is precedent setting. Preparing this DEIS was a deliberate action to assure that decisions made by the Ocean Shores City Council were not made in a vacuum.
In conclusion, this is just a first step in a long process. The City is working cooperatively with other agencies and the general public to make decisions that will impact our environmental and economic health for years to come. We hope you enjoy your reading and provide some constructive thoughts to this process.
Sincerely
Harriette
City of Ocean Shores
HH/sp
This page created and maintained by Chehalis River Council
Send comments or questions to the: Chehalis River Council