Winterfest Fundraiser for Olympic Peninsula Chapter

Thanks to the following for donating equipment to be sold at the Winterfest Ski Swap. Proceeds go directly to fund beach cleanups, waste collection, and access at local beaches:

Vicky Adams
John Huard
Jody Kennedy
Arnold Schouten
Kendra Parks


Thank you very much for contributing to the Olympic Peninsula Chapter!

Our Chapter Comments on the proposed expansion of the NAVSEA Keyport Range Complex into the Olympic Coast Marine Sanctuary

The Navy is proposing to operate unmanned underwater vehicles in the surf zone within the Olympic Coast Marine Sanctuary. Here are our Chapter comments on the matter. Thanks to Sarah Waterkotte for providing comments.


Carol Bernthal, Superintendent
Olympic Coast Marine Sanctuary
115 East Railroad Ave
Port Angeles WA 98362

RE: Comments on the U.S. Navy’s NAVSEA Keyport Range Complex Extension DEIS (DEIS)

Dear Superintendent Bernthal,

The Olympic Peninsula Chapter (OPC) of the Surfrider Foundation has discussed the Navy’s proposed expansion of the NAVSEA Keyport Range Complex into the Olympic Coast Marine Sanctuary (OCMS) and has the following comments. We ask that you forward these comments to the appropriate representatives of the U.S. Navy as indicated in the Federal Register notice, Vol. 68, No. 168 of September 11, 2008.

The OPC does not believe that the proposed expansions of the NAVSEA Keyport Range Complex into the Olympic Coast Marine Sanctuary is compatible with the goals of the Sanctuary and prefer that the No Action Alternative be adopted.

Our members are very concerned about the possibility of the Navy operating unmanned undersea vehicles (UUV’s) in the surf-zone of the OCMS causing conflict and injury to public uses and users within the surf zone. We believe that the Navy has inadequately described the size, mass and velocity of the UUVs proposed to operate in the surf zone of the OCMS. Our Chapter prefers the surf-zone be located outside of the OCMS as stated in Alternative 3. Further, as stated above, the OPC prefers the No Action Alternative on the Navy’s proposed expansion.

The OPC has also reviewed the comments submitted to the OCMS by the Sanctuary Advisory Council (dated October 22, 2008) and agree with the Council’s comments regarding probable significant environmental impacts to the environment from the Navy’s proposed expansion of the Keyport Range Complex.

Please feel free to contact me at the following numbers if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Dave Parks
Chair
Olympic Peninsula Chapter
The Surfrider Foundation
PO Box 2263
Port Angeles WA 98362

Office: 360-417-1405 ext. 225
Cellular: 360-480-7312

Twin Sanican

I want to take a moment and say thanks to everyone who helped install the Sanican, fill in potholes, and clean up the beach at Twin Rivers this last Saturday, November 15, 2008. Your efforts are making a real difference towards keeping our surf spots clean, healthy and accessible. Great job everyone!

Left to right, Olympic Peninsula Chapter Members: Eric Waterkotte, Nick Parry, Arnold Schouten, Mike Wheeler, Kendra Parks, Tyson Dougherty, Sarah Waterkotte, Charlie Parks,
Dave Parks, Anne Shaffer. In front: Valentine and Hoss. Not shown because she was taking the picture, Sally Parry, (Thanks Sally!). See the slideshow below for more photos of the day.


Sincerely,

Dave Parks
Chair
Olympic Peninsula Chapter
The Surfrider Foundation
PO Box 2263
Port Angeles WA 98362

Office: 417-1405 ext. 225
Cell: 360-480-7312

Beach Cleanup and Work Party - November 15th

The Olympic Peninsula Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation will be having a Beach Clean-up and work party at the Twin Rivers parking lot on Saturday, November 15, 2008, from 9am to 1pm. (When you cross East Twin River take the second gravel road on your right heading west.)

We will be installing a portable toilet and sign, spreading gravel to improve the road, and picking up trash on the beach and around the parking lot.

You are invited to join us in our efforts to conserve our natural resources. If you have any questions, please give me a call at 360-480-7312.

Thanks,
Dave Parks
Chair
Olympic Peninsula Chapter
The Surfrider Foundation
PO Box 2263
Port Angeles WA 98362

OPC Surfrider Minutes: November 2008

Meeting minutes: 11.5.2008

Attendees

Dave Parks, Mike, Lindsey and Conner Wheeler, Arnold Shouten, Sarah Waterkotte, Eric Waterkotte, Jody Kennedy

Treasurers Report

Balance from last month: 3132.60
Monthly Expenses: - 91.38 (Elwha Sani can)
---------------------------------------------------------
Current Balance: $ 3041.22

Secretary Report

Minutes were finalized by the members.

Sani-Can updates

There is some interest from the Alaskan Brew Company's Coastal Code initiative to fund projects protecting our beaches. We are looking into ways to open up a fund for donations directly to the sani-can operations. December 1st is the deadline for Coastal Code grants.

The landowners at Twins have approved the location and we have started prepping the site at Twin's for the Sani-Can. Dave has an official sign made up to mark the site. We will have a work session Saturday November 15th to help finish prepping the site.

Address for OPC

We voted on changing the official chapter address so that it will now be Dave Parker, chapter chair's address.

P.O. Box 2263
Port Angeles, WA 98362

Twin River Land Exchange with County

There is a group of landowners which owns the strip of land surfers park on at Twin Rivers as well as the fenced campground. The group would like to exchange the land with the county in exchange for some county land in an adjacent area. The deal would be between the County and the land owner group but it would benefit our interests and so the chapter agreed to support the idea. Arnold will follow up with the group.

Access Issues

Dry Creek - Arnold attended the Dry Creek Coalition meeting and represented our interests in public access to the beach. We can write a letter to the city to request that the road from the P.A. landfill down to the beach. We need to consider writting a letter to the city proposing after hours access to the road which leads down to the beach.

WA Policy Events

The WA Wildlife & Rec Program - WWRC washington wildlife and recreation coalition
State funding agency which funds things like The Olympic Discovery Trail. The fund was created in the early 90s with around 100 million in funding. The budget is going to be reduced but the legislative campaign during the next session might provide an opportunity to express interest in retaining the funding. We should write letters/call Kessler to express our concerns with the money going away.

Coastal MRC

Conference this weekend. Friday will be an open session for Northwest Straits at 3:30 at the Red Lion. Saturday there will be other events open to the public. Grey's Harbor county is the furthest along. Each county will receive 10,000 for "scoping". The State has put together a working group to establish goals and a process for delivering funds.

OCNMS - Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary

OCNMS is updating their management plan. They are open for comments which are due November 14th.

NW Chapter Conference

Jody Kennedy provided an update on what went down at the NW Chapter Conference in Seaside Oregon. There was a solid turnout in general accept for our chapter.

2009 Event Planning

• Winterfest - Friday November 21st @ 5pm Vern Burton $30 and two auction items. Saturday is a ski swap.


• Coastal Cleanup in Neah Bay - April 18th, 2009 Mike Wheeler will be the chairman.


• Cleanwater Classic - Westport - May 15th - 17th, 2009


• Surfing and Traditions - July 3rd and 4th


• Beach Cleanups - Elwha, Twin Rivers, Wedge, Dump, Debob Bay

Next Meeting

December 3, 2008 - Location TBD

For a printable copy of these minutes click here.