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Yesterday,
for the first time in the history of the Oregon Dunes, an environmental
group;
Wildlands CPR and an OHV group; Save the
Riders Dunes (STRD) sat down with the
Forest Serviceto
discuss the future of the
Oregon Dunes National Recreational
Area (ODNRA). We
all agreed we are losing the ODNRA to the unchecked
growth of
beach grass, scotch broom and shore
pine. Restoration to open free
flowing
sand
is our only hope to keep the ODNRA from certain death. All stake
holders agreed
that we can share the dunes. We also all agreed that we
can work
together and
in doing so keep the areas
most
important to each of us healthy and manageable.
The
ODNRA will never be open free flowing sand again. The area is too big
and
unwanted vegetation too widespread to eradicate it no
matter how much money is
available. The beach grass is just too tenacious. We need to focus our
efforts
of restoration on specific areas that will
achieve 4 main objectives:
Snowy
Plover habitat, Open OHV areas, native plant communities and the visual
beauty
of the dunes themselves.
There
were discussions on exactly how to accomplish these goals but first we
need the
organization and some basic knowledge to start the
process. There needs to be two main groups
initiated.
One would be the stakeholders themselves. This would look similar to
the 10C
Work
Group. Examples would be Enviros, OHV, USFS, BLM, Counties Corp of
Engineers etc. The second group would be what is called the
“Ologist”. (Biologist, Ecologist, and Botanist). They
would begin to collect data like where is the native plant communities
and
where would be best to
start foredune removal. We have set a goal to
meet in
mid-July time
frame to keep the process moving. More information about who will
be in the
groups will be forthcoming.
We also
need to look at creating an unbiased group like “Friends of the Dunes”
or
“Friends of the ODNRA” that can act as a non-profit to
request grants and
collect funds for restoration.
Specific
to OHV are areas that are now open but heavily vegetated. In a few
years there
will be so much vegetation that we will not be able
to ride there even though
we are allowed to. The area just south of Spinreel and west of the open
dunes
is a good example. I call this area the
“hidden dunes”. We must keep
these
areas designated 10B and OPEN. To do that we may have the ability to go
in and
pull shore pine, ride on
beach grass and scotch broom. Basically
restore these
areas to open sand. It is a daunting task
but we need to start somewhere.
All
of
us must thank Sarah Peters from Wildlands CPR for reaching across the
aisle and
be willing to work with us to restore the dunes. She
came out a few
weeks ago
to meet STRD to get our side of the story.
That took some serious courage to
come into the enemy’s camp. We will all
benefit. Together we will help
the FS
focus on the restoration of the ODNRA so all of us will have a
say in
how we
can keep our riding areas open
for future generations. For me
personally that
will always be my number one priority. In a few years I will see my
Great-Grandchild riding a quad with me.
now that will bring tears to my eyes!
Thanks, Jody Phillips President, STRD
Oregon Dunes NRA
Management Plan 1994
Forest Service Key
Manage Actions 1970-2010
Plant
Associations Of The Dunes National Recreation
Chlorite
Vermiculitization in
the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, Oregon
Horsefall Entrance 1966
Horsefall Entrance 2010
Horsefall Parking Lot 1966
Horsefall Parking Lot 2010
Webpage designed by Jeff & Steve (STRD Volunteers)
Hit Counter Reset April 5, 2012