The public is invited to learn how to become an effective advocate in Oregon’s land use planning process by attending the “Clatsop County Land Use Planning Seminar” at 6:00pm on Thursday, July 11th, at Astoria’s Fort George Brewery (1483 Duane St.). Co-sponsored by the Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition and the Surfrider Foundation, the event will provide information on how the land use planning system works, with a special focus on Clatsop County.
The county is currently updating elements of its comprehensive plan relating to beaches and dunes, shorelands, and estuaries. The seminar will assist residents in participating knowledgeably and effectively in the process. It is free and open to all.
The chief presenter will be Eric Wriston, an attorney with the non-profit Crag Law Center (which works with both Oregon Shores and Surfrider). He will discuss the basics of getting involved in land use issues. He will then go on to discuss the current situation in Clatsop County, where the county is in the early stages of updating its plan. Specific topics of concern that will be addressed through this planning effort include shoreline armoring, public access, and cable crossings.
Brett Estes, the Department of Land Conservation and Development’s north coast field representative, will speak briefly to provide a statewide perspective. Also speaking will be Denise Lofman, director of CREST (Columbia River Estuary Study Taskforce), the organization handling the initial drafting of the plan update on contract with the county.
There will be plenty of time for questions.
Food and drink are available for purchase from the brewery. Doors open at 5:00pm. Arriving by 5:30, so as to be well-provisioned before the presentation begins, is recommended.
For more information about the event or about the Clatsop County land use planning process, contact Phillip Johnson, Oregon Shores’ Shoreline and Land Use Manager, at (503) 754-9303, phillip@oregonshores.org, or Kaia Hazard, Surfrider’s Regional Manager, khazard@surfrider.org.
