Scenic Waterway Hearing

Marshes of the Nehalem at the south jetty, downstream from the area to be protected.\Photo by Allison Asbjornsen.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is considering a proposal to include a 17-mile stretch of the Nehalem River in the State Scenic Waterways Program.  A public hearing on a study evaluating the proposal will be held 5:30-7 p.m. at the North County Recreation District headquarters in Nehalem (36155 9^th St.).  Public input could have an effect in determining whether the report recommends designating this section of the Nehalem for special protection.

The study area runs from Spruce Run Campground to the boundary of Cougar Valley State Park.  A scenic waterway designation would help to preserve the river’s natural and recreational values by limiting some types of activities within a quarter-mile of the river’s bank.

The meeting will begin with a presentation to explain the scenic waterways program and the criteria the river segment must meet to be included in the program, followed by a question and answer session. The second half of the meeting will be a public hearing, when attendees can comment orally or in writing.  Findings will be included in a report that will go to the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission, Water Resources Commission, and eventually to the Governor's Office.

Comments can also be sent to oprd.publiccomment@oregon.gov or to OPRD Scenic Waterway Study, 725 Summer St., N.E., Salem, OR  97301. The comment period closes Oct. 13.

More information on the program can be found on the OPRD website.

A map of the specific study area can be found here. 

For more information about the meeting, contact Alexandra Phillips, Bikeways and Waterways Coordinator, (503) 986-0631 or alex.phillips@oregon.gov.