Nehalem River Public Meeting

Marsh at the Nehalem River south jetty. | Photo by Allison Asbjornsen.

The future of the Nehalem River will be considered at a public meeting on Thursday, Sept. 6, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Astoria City Hall (1095 Duane St, Astoria).

A 17.5 mile segment of the Nehalem River is being considered for designation as a State Scenic Waterway by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). The proposed segment begins at Henry Rierson Spruce Run campground, and ends at the confluence of Cook Creek, near Cougar Valley State Park. OPRD just released the draft management plan that will set the guidelines regarding public access, development, and water flow for the segment of the proposed Nehalem Scenic River.  The public now has a change to speak out in support of a management plan that reflects an emphasis on recreation, scenic, and conservation values.

This is not a formal meeting of the OPRD advisory committee considering the Scenic Waterway designation, but the department is holding an open house to review the non-binding draft management plan for the Nehalem, and to accept public comments on the plan. Any member of the public can comment, not just local residents.  There won't be public comments addresssed to the meeting.  Rather, it is open house format, where those attending can circulate among infomration tables and talk to OPRD staff, and leave comments with the staff.

Check this site for upcoming details on this matter.

If you are interested in carpooling to this meeting, please contact rockawaycitizen.water@gmail.com.