To the Editor:
The Yachats Action Alliance and many community members recently worked for months to resist a motel proposed to be built overlooking Yachats Ocean Road.
Our group’s opposition to the Agate Pont proposal focused on preserving the wetland and the integrity of Yachats Ocean Road. This led both to new learning and to an affirmation of the fragility of this wild area just a footstep away and led us to study the area west of Yachats Ocean Road as well.
The coastal rocks next to Yachats Ocean Road are included in Oregon State Park’s natural area and this park extends from in front of the road almost to Cape Perpetua. This same area is protected for shore birds by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In addition, there are multiple islands just several feet from shore, each designated as a protected wildlife refuge.
This doesn’t mean that we can’t use and enjoy this rugged beauty. It means that we must value and care for it.
Black oystercatchers are beautiful shorebirds that nest on these craggy rocks. Killdeer can also sometimes be heard calling to mislead predators away from their nests. Oregon tree frogs occupy such a narrow strip of land on the bank with pollywogs hatching only in pools where the salinity tolerates their development.
These creatures all need our help. But of specific concern, the oystercatcher population has dramatically declined.
What can we do to help? Actually, quite a bit. Here are some suggestions:
- Dogs should not run freely on these rocks. The slightest disturbance causes the oystercatchers to abandon their nest;
- Drones should not be used over these rocks. The birds see them as predators and again will abandon the nests;
- Signs from USFW can and will be posted to educate and caution people about how these behaviors endanger shorebirds. We also can gently remind folks to care for and protect the shorebirds as feels appropriate;
- We will ask vacation rental managers to include brochures with paperwork to their clients about this visually rugged but fragile shore.
Little things can matter. We can make a difference. The beautiful and unique black oystercatcher and other shorebirds need our protection.
— Richard Ponting/Yachats and Yachats Action Alliance