Wetlands

Update 6/25/07: PADL received a letter from Louise Solliday, Director of the Department of State Lands (DSL) in response to our letter. PADL hopes to host a meeting with DSL, DLWID and others to discuss the removal-fill program.
   Ms. Solliday states in her letter, "The Department is currently investigating approximately 25 complaints/violations in Lincoln County, with eight (8) of those being in the Devils Lake area." "The Department appreciates the concerns of the Preservation Association and your interest in protecting wetland resources. If the Preservation Association has an interest, DSL will come to Lincoln City at a convenient time to make a presentation on the removal-fill program."

Contact Carrie Landrum who is the Resource Coordinator for Lincoln County. When there are issues in the county you should work with Carrie.  Thanks.
Louise Solliday, Director
Department of State Lands
775 Summer St NE, Suite 100
Salem, OR  97301
503-378-3805, x 224
503-378-4844 (fax)
louise.c.solliday@dsl.state.or.us
www.oregonstatelands.gov

A wetland fill permit is needed for any fill no matter how small because threatened coho salmon use Devils Lake to migrate to spawning grounds such as Rock Creek and salmon smolt stay in the lake up to 2 years before migrating out to sea.

Wetlands around Devils Lake need protection
Know the law - Realtors know if there is a wetland. The selling price is less.
Property owners buy wetlands at reduced prices, remove vegetation and haul in fill.
It is inexcusable to not follow the law concerning wetlands. It is discourteous to neighbors who bought property thinking that their wetland views were protected. Contact the Lincoln City Planning Department at 541-996-2153. Contact Lincoln City Public Works' Todd Pote 541-996-2154 and Lincoln County's Maria Wagoner at 541-265-4192 in Newport.

Oregon State Water Related Permit Guide - download pdf
How are Wetlands and Waterways Regulated? (Just the Facts), Oregon Department of State Lands (Wetlands Program) - download pdf

In the past, PADL has worked to protect wetlands.
1. PADL member Lynn Hermo helped write the Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Ordinance, after researching ordinances in other coastal communities. PADL has continued to get the word out about erosion and wetland protection through newsletters, website, meetings, guest speakers (Todd Pote) and promoting the erosion control workshop.
2. In 1998, PADL member Lynn Hermo helped write the Open Space Bond Measure after researching the Portland Open Space Bond Measure. PADL supported the open space bond measure to protect wetlands around the lake.
3. In 1999, PADL chair Richard Hatchard wrote letters to the City Council, Planning Department, City Engineer, County Commissioners, Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District, Mid-Coast Watershed Council, Governor's Watershed Enhancement Board (GWEB), and the National Resources Conservation Service (RCS) to hire a full time erosion control officer enforcing the ordinance. Mr. Hatchard stated "Numerous other construction and fill is taking place around the lake (even ON the shoreline...). Many regulations do not apply to disturbed sites less than 5 acres, and these can sometimes be the most damaging to the lake. Ordinances are needed to apply to any potential problem areas regardless of size, whether for a construction or fill site."
4. Beginning in 1999, PADL held events celebrating migratory birds with the goal of making citizens aware of the economic value in protecting and conserving habitat. The Lincoln City Visitor and Convention Bureau advertises bird watching and prints a brochure that includes Devils Lake. Several sites on Devils Lake are in the new Oregon Coast Birding Trail brochure and on their website. Wetland habitat is vital for migratory birds.
5. In 1999, PADL paid wetland scientists Katie McKenzie and Heather Stout to testify before the City Council during the Goals 5 and 17 process in order to protect wetlands. The city hired Shapiro consultants to map the wetlands and significant wetlands. Ms. McKenzie stated "These rules are not if you want or please, they state SHALL."

Wetlands: are defined as lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems where the water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water. Wetlands usually have three components: 1) surface water or water in the root zone, 2) hydric soils or undrained soils, 3) vegetation adapted to thrive in wet conditions (hydrophytes).
   Oregon's wetlands provide a multitude of benefits for humans and the ecosystems in which we live, including:
• Habitat for a major portion of the state's fish and wildlife, including waterfowl and other migratory birds of the Pacific Flyway; salmon; and dozens of threatened and endangered species.
• Flood control and protection against storm damage.
• Water quality improvements through absorption and filtration of sediments, nutrients, metals and toxic materials.
• Opportunities for public recreation, education and research.
• Open space and scenic values.
   For more information about wetlands visit the Oregon Habitat Joint Venture at www.ohjv.org/oregons_wetlands.html. Another website is the Department of State Lands Wetlands Program at statelands.dsl.state.or.us/wetlandsintro.htm.

SIGNIFICANT WETLANDS - KNOW THE LAW - property owners off East Devils Lake Road by Chetlo (10th & 11th) are not protecting their significant wetlands. Filling in land and removing vegetation are not allowed. Lincoln City spent money and years working through the Goals 5 and 17 process. There are laws protecting significant wetlands and they are not being followed. Notify the Division of State Lands if you know of a property owner not complying.
PROPERTY OWNERS, CONTRACTORS & REALTORS BEFORE MESSING WITH A WETLAND CONTACT THE CITY, COUNTY AND...
OREGON Department of State Lands (DSL)
775 Summer St NE, Suite 100
Salem, OR 97301
503-378-3805
statelands.dsl.state.or.us/
Wetlands
www.oregon.gov/DSL/WETLAND/index.shtml

Property Owners with Significant Wetlands -
Look for programs to help you protect your valuable wetland

Lincoln City wetlands inventory (planning)
541-996-2153
US Army Corps of Engineers - 503-808-4371
www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/g/
OR Department of State Lands (DSL) - 503-378-3805
www.oregon.gov/DSL
www.oregon.gov/DSL/WETLAND/index.shtml
Izaak Walton League of America
www.iwla.org
Oregon Habitat Joint Venture
www.ohjv.org/oregons_wetlands.html
Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB)
www.oregon.gov/OWEB/index.shtml
Wetlands Conservancy, The
www.wetlandsconservancy.org

- Lincoln Land Legacy Program - Lincoln County. The purpose of the program is to acquire, on a willing-seller basis, lands and conservation easements focused on the preservation of the scenic and aesthetic character of Lincoln County and/or on providing access to recreation and scenic areas. The program seeks to preserve key elements of the natural landscape character of Lincoln County through these easement acquisitions.
  The emphasis of the Lincoln Land Legacy Program is on the protection of view sheds, scenic areas and access to recreation elements not currently addressed by regulatory or other conservation initiatives. The program also seeks opportunities to work with other conservation organizations and initiatives for acquisitions that fulfill multiple conservation objectives.
   PADL encourages property owners with significant wetlands to investigate the program. For information contact Lincoln County at 265-4100, or 225 W Olive, Newport, Oregon.

Photo: Blue Heron (FWS)

Copyright © 2003-2011 Preservation Association of Devils Lake (PADL).
All rights reserved.

P.O. Box 36
Lincoln City, OR 97367
PADLsteward@wcn.net