Public Comment Deadline: Beach Driving in Lincoln City

Access at N. 15th St., the other vehicle access point in Lincoln City. Photo by Lois Hartwig.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is extending the public comment period through Nov. 30 on a proposed rule change that would close a 300-foot section of the beach to motor vehicles in Lincoln City near N. 35^th Court.

OPRD held two public hearings in October and accepted comments through the month. Due to the low volume of comments received and concerns from some members of the public that they did not have enough notice of the comment period, OPRD decided to extend the comment period. All comments received in October, either through e-mail or at a public hearing, will be considered and do not need to be submitted again. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission will consider all comments received by Nov. 30 when they meet in February, 2017.

Comments on this rulemaking can be made in writing until 5 p.m. on Nov. 30 and should be mailed to Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Attn.: Richard Walkoski, 725 Summer St NE, Suite C, Salem OR  97301 or e-mailed to OPRD.publiccomment@oregon.gov . 

Oregon Shores has long campaigned to have areas where driving on the beach is allowed reduced. We haven’t been able to budge OPRD (aka State Parks) on this, however. Now, some citizens in Lincoln City seem to have received the department’s attention where one very limited area is concerned, although this is about parking more than driving.

Beaches in Lincoln County are closed to motor vehicles aside from two 300-foot sections in Lincoln City that have been left open for parking. In the fall of 2015, OPRD received a petition to close one of those sections. This proposed rule change would close the beach to motor vehicles at N. 35^th Court.  (The other area, which will remain open to vehicles, is at the extension of N. 15th St.)

On March 30 of this year, a public meeting was held in Lincoln City to gather information on historical use, current use, and potential problems with the beach being open at that location, as well as reasons why some consider vehicle access to be important at that location. After analyzing the information presented at the meeting OPRD determined that a rulemaking action to close that section of beach was warranted.  Oregon Shores endorses closures of beaches to vehicles wherever possible.

For more information, contact Holly Morgan of OPRD, (503) 986-0803, holly.morgan@oregon.gov.