Salem-News.com Oregon Coast articles Page 42

Winter Whale Watch Now Underway Along The Oregon Coast

Gray whales are the predominant whales seen along the Oregon Coast.

(NEWPORT) - Winter Whale Watch Week has begun along the Oregon coast.


During winter Whale Watch Week, Dec. 26th through Jan. 1st, 2007, trained volunteers are available at 28 sites along the coast from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

18,000 whales will pass by in 4 weeks, mid-December to mid-January.

The main body is about 5 miles off shore, but many are seen 1 to 2 miles off shore.

Oregon Winter Storms and Wave Heights Escalating off Northwest Coast

During typical Oregon winters – which are not affected by El Nino and La Nina events – storms most frequently arrive from the southwest and hit the beaches at a steep angle, pushing sand northward.

(CORVALLIS) - The Pacific Northwest coast has experienced increasingly intense winter storms and higher wave heights over the last 25 years, both of which may be leading to earlier and more severe winter erosion, scientists at Oregon State University say.

Oregon PUC to Consider Ten-Digit Dialing Plan For Northern Oregon Coast

The PUC says the northern Oregon coast is running out of 503 area code telephone numbers.

(SALEM) - The Oregon Public Utility Commission is scheduled to consider a proposal to implement a ten-digit dialing plan for the northern Oregon coast Tuesday morning in Salem.

The North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) currently projects that 14 northern coastal telephone exchanges will run out of new telephone numbers in the 503 area code within 2 years.

After that time there will not be any remaining telephone numbers to issue to customers in the 503 area code.

Under the industry proposal new numbers will instead have a 971 prefix, as is the currently the case for the rest of the 503 area code.

If approved by the commission, the industry will need six months beginning in May of 2007 to begin network preparation and implement customer education.

The commission will assist in this effort with open houses to distribute educational materials along with the phone companies.

Beginning in October of 2007 customers will be in a permissive time period in which both seven-digit and ten-digit calls will be connected.

Effective April 30th, 2008 only ten-digit dialed calls will go through.

Health Advisories Issued For Water Contact at Six Coastal Locations

Although state officials discourage water contact, they continue to encourage other recreational activities on these beaches because they pose no health risk even during an advisory.

(NEWPORT) - Public health advisories were issued Thursday due to higher-than-normal levels of bacteria in ocean waters at six beaches: Agate and Nye beaches in Lincoln County, Florence North Jetty beach in Lane County, Umpqua beach in Douglas County, and Bastendorff and Sunset Bay State Park beaches in Coos County.

Increased pathogen and fecal bacteria levels in waterways are common after heavy rain events, when runoff can wash pollutants into streams and rivers, and sanitary sewers may overflow.

Interactive Talks on Coastal Ghosts Given in Newport and Seaside

It’s a paranormal walk down the coast, covering just about every town from Astoria to Florence.

(NEWPORT) - Andre’ Hagestedt, editor of BeachConnection.net and all around coastal character and conspiracy theorist, will give two interactive talks on “Oregon Coast Ghosts and the Paranormal,” happening in two different ends of the coast.

The presentation will include spooky stories about lighthouses, the legends that are simply laughable, and a host of tales that defy category, covering ghosts, poltergeists, UFO’s, spiritual spots, conspiracy theories, sea monsters and myths that were debunked, as well as unusual historical tidbits and weird science that relate to the subject.

Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint to Close Temporarily on Monday

The park is expected to re-open on Thursday.

(CAPE MEARS) - Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint, one of the busiest day-use state parks on the north Oregon coast, will be closed Monday through Wednesday while contractors pave its parking area.

An expansion project has restricted parking in the park since Sept. 18th.

Those restrictions are expected to continue until mid-November.

Coast Guard Conducting Yaquina Head Lighthouse Study

The Coast Guard is examining the need of the lighthouse and it’s aid to navigation.

(NEWPORT) - The Coast Guard is conducting a study of the Yaquina Head Lighthouse focusing on the need for an active federal aid to navigation based on waterborne commerce, marine casualty information, port/harbor resources, emergency response plans, routine and emergency communication capabilities, and future development projects.

Currently the Bureau of Land Management owns the lighthouse structure.

Fisherman Dies Off Oregon Coast Thursday

An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the cause of death.

(DEPOE BAY) - The Coast Guard airlifted a 40-year-old male from a charter fishing vessel three miles north of Depoe Bay, Thursday.

The master of the 40-foot vessel Mr. Max contacted the Coast Guard by VHF-FM radio at 11:40 AM requesting assistance for an unconscious man.

An HH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Facility Newport and a 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from Coast Guard Station Depoe Bay were launched minutes later to aid the victim.

SOLV’s Great Oregon Fall Beach Cleanup is Saturday

Founded in 1969 by Oregon Governor Tom McCall to address litter and vandalism problems, SOLV's mission has expanded to reach every county in the state and to bring together government agencies, businesses and individuals in programs and projects to enhance the livability of Oregon.

(NEWPORT) - Saturday marks the date for the 23rd annual Great Oregon Fall Beach Cleanup.

The event will take place from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM along the entire Oregon coast, from the Washington to the California borders.

Volunteers may check in at one of 40 meeting sites, pick up a litter bag, and head down to the beach to help improve the coast for wildlife and winter visitors.

SOLV suggest volunteers bring gloves, wear sturdy shoes...

Razor Clamming Opens Along Most of the Coast

(NEWPORT) - All beaches south of Tillamook Head will be open to razor clamming effective 12:01 AM Wednesday, Aug. 30th, ending a domoic acid-caused closure along the central coast, state fishery and agricultural officials announced today.

Laboratory tests indicate domoic acid in razor clams collected from beaches south of Tillamook head are within the safe range (below 20 parts per million).

All Oregon beaches are now open to razor clamming except Clatsop beaches (north of Tillamook Head to the Oregon-Washington border) which are normally closed July 15th- Oct. 1st to protect newly set or juvenile clams.