Beach restrictions in effect March 15 - Sept. 15 to protect nesting western snowy plover

Associated Documents

Forest Order

The following acts are prohibited in the Snowy Plover Dry Sand Closure Area, and on roads and trails described in this order within the Siuslaw National Forest, Central Coast Ranger District-Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. 

PROHIBITION: 

1. Going into or being upon the Snowy Plover Dry Sand Closure Area while closed for the protection of threatened, endangered, rare, unique, or vanishing species of plants,
   animals, birds or fish. 36 CFR § 261.53(a).
2. Landing of aircraft, or dropping or picking up any material, supplies, or person by means of an aircraft, including a helicopter, within the Snowy Plover Dry Sand Closure
   Area. 36 CFR § 261.58(y).
3. Possessing, storing, or transporting any bird, fish or other animal or parts thereof within or from the Snowy Plover Dry Sand Closure Area. 36 CFR § 261.58(s). Any dogs found running at large within or from the Snowy Plover Dry Sand Closure Area are subject to impoundment, as described in 36 CFR § 262.11.

SNOWY PLOVER DRY SAND CLOSURE AREA:

EXHIBIT A – LANE COUNTY

• Township 17S, Range 12W, Sections 10, 15, 21, 28, 33 in Lane County
• At Baker/Sutton Beach in Lane County all dry sand beach between the rocky headlands to the north of Berry Creek to the Forest Service boundary to the south of the mouth of Sutton Creek and from the mean high tide line eastward to the crest of the foredune and eastward from the crest for 200 feet. At Berry Creek estuary the closure encompasses all dry sand from the high tide line eastward for 200 feet east of the eastern bank of Berry Creek. At Sutton Creek estuary the closure area encompasses all dry sand from the high tide line eastward, including the eastern bank of Sutton Creek. At the snowy plover habitat improvement area near the south end of Sutton Beach the closure area extends eastward from the high tide line, encompassing all dry sand area to the west bank of Sutton Creek. See attached map, (Exhibit A).

EXHIBIT B – LANE AND DOUGLAS COUNTIES

• Township 19S, Range 12W, Section 32 in Lane County
• Township 20S Range 12W, Sections 5, 8, 17, 19, 30, and 31, and Township 21S, Range 12W, Sections 6 and 7, in Douglas County
• At Siltcoos River estuary in Lane County, the closure area extends eastward from the mean high tide line encompassing all dry sand within the estuary area (an area of
  approximately 0.95 miles from north to south and approximately 0.40 miles from east to west). On the north side of Siltcoos River the closure line extends from the mean
  high tide line near the northwest corner of Siltcoos parking lot eastward to the west edge of the Siltcoos parking lot and follows the edge of the parking lot on the west and
  south sides to Siltcoos Beach Road. Continuing south then east along the south edge of the paved Siltcoos Beach Road for approximately 0.25 miles to immediately
  southeast of the Driftwood II Campground entrance. From that point southward through a small section of shore pine forest then east/southeast along the forest edge to
  the Siltcoos River. The closure area extends across Siltcoos Creek following the tree line in a southerly direction to the Waxmyrtle Trail. From that point westward, back
  to the mean high tide line on the beach. The Waxmyrtle Trail forms the southern boundary of the Siltcoos Estuary portion of the closure area. In addition, this closure
  includes the 0.4-mile section of the Waxmyrtle Trail commonly known as the Estuary Trail. See attached map, (Exhibit B).
• From the Siltcoos Estuary closure area continuing south on the beach for a distance of approximately 5.5 miles to the Tahkenitch Creek mouth, through portions of Lane and
  Douglas Counties, Oregon, the closure area includes all dry sand from the mean high tide line east toward the crest of the foredune and includes a 400-foot buffer strip of
  adjacent foredune vegetation eastward of the foredune crest. At Dunes Day Use/Overlook Beach in Douglas County, Oregon the closure area will extend eastward, including all dry sand from the mean high tide line to the western edge of the deflation plain wetland. At Tahkenitch Creek estuary in Douglas County, Oregon, the closure will encompass all dry sand between the mean high tide line and the east bank of Tahkenitch Creek. From the south side of Tahkenitch Creek the closure will extend south to the vehicle closure I-beam located .63 miles north of Sparrow Park Road and include all dry sand from the mean high tide line and east toward the crest of the foredune and include a 400-foot buffer strip of adjacent foredune vegetation east of the foredune crest. See attached map, (Exhibit B).

EXHIBIT C – DOUGLAS COUNTY

• Township 22S Range 13W, Sections 1, 11 and 12
• In Douglas County, Oregon beginning approximately 3.6 miles south of the Sparrow Park Road beach access and extending south to the Umpqua River north jetty the
  closure area will include all dry sand from the mean high tide line east toward the crest of the foredune also including a 400-foot-wide buffer strip of adjacent foredune
  vegetation eastward from the crest of the foredune. See attached map, (Exhibit C).

EXHIBIT D – COOS COUNTY

• Township 23S, Range 13W, Sections 2, 10, 15, 22, 27 in Coos County
• In Coos County, Oregon beginning at the Coos/Douglas County line southward on the beach for approximately 2.5 miles to Tenmile Creek estuary the closure area will
  include all dry sand from the mean high tide line east toward the crest of the foredune also including a 400-foot-wide buffer strip of adjacent foredune vegetation eastward
  from the crest of the foredune. Within Tenmile Creek estuary, including the north and south sand spits, the closure area will include all dry sand east of the mean high tide
  line and a 400-foot buffer strip of adjacent beachgrass/shrub vegetation to the northeast, east and southeast of open dry sand snowy plover habitat areas. From the
  south spit of Tenmile creek the closure area will continue southward on the beach for approximately 1.6 miles ending at the vehicle closure I-Beam near the beach access of
  OHV trail 1343 – Coast Guard South. This area will encompass all dry sand east of the mean high tide line to the crest of the foredune including a 400-foot-wide buffer strip
  of adjacent foredune vegetation eastward of the foredune crest. See attached map, (Exhibit D).

EXEMPTIONS:

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(e) the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order.

Any Federal, State, or local official or volunteer or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty. These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A.

Violations of these prohibitions are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 for an individual or $10,000.00 for a corporation or imprisonment for not more than six months or both (16 USC §551; 18 USC §§ 3551, 3571, 3559, and 3581).

See attached order and maps for western snowy plover dry sand closure area.

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