The Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition and the Surfrider Foundation have launched a to advocate for better protection of the state鈥檚 beaches.
Phillip Johnson with the Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition said Oregon鈥檚 beaches are at risk because of what鈥檚 called 鈥榗oastal squeeze.鈥�
鈥淪ea level is rising and storm surges are pushing waves ever higher. And they are coming up against human infrastructure and catching the beaches between," said Johnson. "Our beaches could erode away if we do not seriously think about some new long-term policy.鈥�
Johnson said natural beaches are more resistant to erosion and can also mitigate the effects from disasters. showed that coastal wetlands along the east coast helped prevent around $625 million in flood damages from Hurricane Sandy.
If it's not addressed, Johnson said that this erosion could come with major consequences.
鈥淲e could lose our beaches and we would survive, we鈥檇 certainly lose a big part of our Oregon soul," he said. "Meanwhile other creatures, especially shorebirds and other wildlife that use the beaches, would be deprived entirely of their habitat.鈥�
Johnson said the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is expected to begin looking at their rules for shoreline hardening. He said Oregon Shores will advocate for tighter restrictions on structures like rip-rap and seawalls. He also proposed that developers look at moving buildings away from the shoreline before they can get a permit to build a seawall.
