Notices

NEWS RELEASE

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

April 15, 2019

Contact: Dan Ayres, 360-249-4628

WDFW announces razor clam dates ahead of Long Beach Razor Clam Festival; Asks beachgoers to avoid snowy plovers

OLYMPIA – Razor clam diggers can return to various ocean beaches for a three-day opening beginning Saturday, April 20 and extending through Earth Day, April 22.

State shellfish managers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the dig on morning low tides after marine toxin tests showed the clams are safe to eat.

The upcoming dig is approved on the following beaches, dates, and low tides:

  • April 20, Saturday, 7:58 a.m.; -1.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis;
  • April 21, Sunday, 8:42 a.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  • April 22, Monday, 9:25 a.m.; -1.0 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

“This is a weekend opening that should not be missed,” said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager. “The Long Beach Razor Clam festival on Saturday (http://longbeachrazorclamfestival.com), features clam digging and chowder contests, clam digging lessons, and live music – even pirates and mermaids making an occasional appearance.”

As in past years, WDFW is asking beachgoers to take care to avoid nesting snowy plovers.

“With barely 100 of these birds still surviving on the Southwest Washington Coast, it is vitally important for beachgoers to stay out of posted areas,” said Ayres. “Snowy plover nests are nearly invisible, so we want people to give these birds the space they need to live and thrive during their nesting period, especially near Midway Beach and while walking towards the north end of Long Beach.”

Ayres recommends people avoid leaving leftover food or trash on the beach–which attracts predators–avoid the dunes as much as possible, and heed the 25-mile per hour speed limit if driving on the beach.

Diggers should hit the beach about an hour or two before low tide for the best results.

All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2019-20 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach; 2018-19 licenses are no longer valid for this dig. Licenses, ranging from a three-day razor clam license (starting at $9.70) to an annual combination fishing license, are available on WDFW’s website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov and from license vendors around the state.

Under state law, diggers at open beaches can take 15 razor clams per day and are required to keep the first 15 they dig. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container.

Ayres noted that based on the remaining number of clams to harvest, this is very likely the last razor clam dig of the season at Long Beach and Copalis beaches.

WDFW is the state agency tasked with preserving, protecting and perpetuating fish, wildlife and ecosystems, while providing sustainable fishing, hunting and other outdoor recreation opportunities. WDFW razor clam digs support outdoor lifestyles and coastal economies.

Persons with disabilities who need to receive this information in an alternative format or who need reasonable accommodations to participate in WDFW-sponsored public meetings or other activities may contact Dolores Noyes by phone (360-902-2349), TTY (360-902-2207), or email (dolores.noyes@dfw.wa.gov). For more information, seehttps://wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/reasonable_request.html.

Public Announcement

April 4, 4:30-6 pm at the Convention Center.

Workshop on Grays Harbor’s plan to Address Homelessness – input from Ocean Shores/North Beach

Grays Harbor County will be updating its plan to address homelessness in early 2019 and it provides an opportunity for discussion and dialog with community stakeholders, including stakeholders in Ocean Shores/North Beach. The County would like the opportunity to share some information about homelessness in Grays Harbor, what is required to be part of our plan update, how that impacts the funding we have available, and where there is flexibility to ask for and use stakeholder input in our community’s plan.

Housing Coordinator Cassie Lentz from Grays Harbor County Public Health and Social Services will be facilitating an interactive workshop to gather critical feedback.

Crystal

Crystal L. Dingler, Mayor

City of Ocean Shores

PO Box 909

Ocean Shores, WA  98569

t (360)289-3099 x106

c (360) 581-5386

Thousands of people rely on safe and affordable public transportation to access basic services that allow them to live independently, maintain their health, reduce isolation, and remain active. In Grays Harbor County, taking public transportation is a necessity for seniors, people with disabilities and other at-risk individuals in order to get to work, and/or get to and from necessary medical services and healthcare needs. If you, or someone you know, is in need of reliable, affordable transportation, we can help. Call (360) 735-5733 or visit tripresourcecenter.org to learn about transportation options available.

Crystal L. Dingler, Mayor

City of Ocean Shores

PO Box 909

Ocean Shores, WA  98569

t (360)289-3099 x106

c (360) 581-5386

City Survey Press Release
Crystal Dingler

The City of Ocean Shores is conducting a Land Use and Environmental priorities survey for the upcoming March 11 Council Retreat and ongoing City planning. The survey is based on the Planning Commission’s recently completed Land Use and Environmental chapters of the Comprehensive Plan.

…See More

NEWS RELEASE

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

__________

Public Information Officer Sgt. David McManus

577 Pt. Brown Ave NW
Ocean Shores, WA 98569
(360) 289-3331 FAX 289-3333

The Ocean Shores Police Department wants to warn citizens that there appears to be a
cougar living in the area of the Weatherwax Property.
The Weatherwax Property is a large parcel of undeveloped woodland in the center of
Ocean Shores. It features a series of hiking trails that are very popular with local residents
and visitors alike.
On February 10, a citizen reported finding a dead deer in the Weatherwax Property, and
he believed that the wounds looked like they were caused by a cougar.
On February 12, an Officer from the Department of Fish & Wildlife checked the carcass
and confirmed that it was indeed killed by a cougar. He informed our Animal Control
Officer that it appeared to be the work of a young cougar.
Anyone walking in the Weatherwax Property are cautioned to pay attention to their
surroundings, to keep all pets on a leash and keep a close eye on small children. Experts
say that cougars are very unlikely to attack humans, especially in a place like Ocean
Shores where natural food sources are plentiful.
If anyone has any questions or concerns, please call the Department of Fish & Wildlife at
877-933-9847.

Tsunami Information:

Southwest Washington Tsunami Inundation Hazard Maps
Newly Published: Southwest Washington Tsunami Inundation Hazard Maps

Washington State DNR released new Tsunami Inundation Hazard Maps for Southwest Washington on Monday, March 26th, 2018. These maps are a bit different than previous tsunami inundation mapping. Previous inundation mapping was based upon the last Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake from 1700 AD. This new study and modeling is based upon a simulated 2500 year event, from a magnitude 9.0 earthquake. This event produces a farther reaching tsunami inundation scenario.
Although the 2500 year event brings more tsunami inundation, the response from all people along the coast is the same.
Once you feel the earthquake, DROP, COVER and HOLD ON until the ground shaking stops and then move to high ground immediately, whether it is a multi-story home, business, tower, or up a hillside. DO NOT attempt to run from the interior of a building during the earthquake as it increases your chances for injury. Always wait until the ground stops shaking. Remember, there WILL be aftershocks. DO NOT leave your place of safe haven unless someone in authority tells you it is ok to leave. You should stay in place for at least 2 full tidal cycles. (nearly 24 hours)

** Aftershocks may produce additional tsunami waves in coastal areas

The first tsunami waves (a minimum of 4 are expected) will arrive within 15-25 minutes following the quake.

Wave heights along the beaches will vary depending on the bathymetry of the coastline however the amount and level of inundation is our greatest concern. WA State DNR provided Grays Harbor Emergency Management some approximate inundation depths for this 2500 year event for our coastal areas.
Ocean City:
Screamin’ Eagle Campground: 45.1 ft.
Ocean Shores:
Spinnaker Park: 28.5 ft.
Bill’s Spitt (Peninsula Ct SE): 4.7 ft.
Elks Lodge: 21.1 ft.
Point Brown Ave at E Chance a La Mer NE roundabout: 27.2 ft.
Westport:
Westport Viewing Tower: 12.5 ft.
W Ocean Ave roundabout: 18.4 ft.
Westport City Park: 6.5 ft.
Grayland:
Beachcomber Grocery and Deli: 26.2 ft.
Security State Bank: 22.2 ft.
Areas of deepest on-land inundation
North Jetty (Ocean Shores): 67 ft.
Damon Point (Ocean Shores): 61 ft.
Ocean City: 57 ft.

POINTS TO REMEMBER
This is a model of a predicted event. There is a possible difference of +/- 30% to 40%, of the values in this study. Mankind has never been able to predict the timing of an occurrence, size of the earthquake or devastation caused by an earthquake and the possible resulting tsunami.
The modeling takes into account mean high tide and subsidence (4-6 feet). If we are at low tide when the tsunami arrive, the event will have a reduced impact, however, if we are at higher tides (King Tides, Higher Astronomical Tides), the event could have a greater impact.
For a large earthquake and tsunami event, such as this modeled event, there is the possibility of PREQUAKES, the main 9.0 Earthquake and hundreds of AFTERSHOCKS, some potentially capable of producing additional tsunami waves.
Your actions are exactly the same for any felt earthquake along the coast – MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND! The earthquake DOES NOT have to reach a magnitude 9.0 to produce a tsunami.