Climate Planning Meeting

King tide threatens a Waldport trailer park.\Photo by Roy Lowe.

The Waldport Climate Crisis Planning Committee will hold its second meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 6:30 p.m. at the Seashore Family Literacy Center (125 N.W. Spruce St.) in Waldport.

The speaker will be Paul Engelmeyer, a long-time coastal conservation advocate who manages land for the Audubon Society of Portland and the Wetlands Conservancy, has been a member of the state’s Ocean Policy Advisory Council, and engaged in coastal planning processes in a variety of ways.  Engelmeyer will discuss the “land-sea connection” and the role of natural carbon storage solutions to the climate crisis.

His presentation will be followed by reports from working groups researching priority climate impact issues identified at the first planning meeting in September. The issues so far identified are sea level rise (includes storms, landslides and road closures), sustainability (includes water, food, medical resources and fuel), fire (heat impacts and tree removal), education and community outreach. Other issues for possible further research will be discussed, including economic impacts, ocean acidification, and energy alternatives.

Bill Kucha, founder and chair of 350.Oregon Central Coast, will moderate the discussion. The planning meeting is sponsored by Citizens Climate Lobby, 350.Oregon Central Coast, and Senitila McKinley. The Seashore Family Literacy Center is located at the east end of the parking area behind the (now closed) Umpqua Bank building. From Highway 34, turn north at the intersection of Spring Street and Alder, across from the fire station, then right into the former parking lot. The Center is located in the DaNoble House, at the east end of the lot.

These planning and information sessions are part of a 2018 Lincoln County resolution to review climate legislation and policy choices by local decision-makers. Residents, businesses, private and public  service providers, and all interested parties are invited to participate and weigh in on this planning process for Waldport.

For more information, contact Bill Kucha, (541) 765 2451, billkucha@gmail.com.