Willapa Erosion Control Action Now
Willapa Erosion Control Alliance Now (WECAN) is an ongoing community initiative to protect the northern shores of Willapa Bay in Pacific County, Washington. The erosion along nearly six miles of these shores has been so significant and ever-increasing that the area has earned its infamous moniker of “Washaway Beach.”
Prior studies of this area by Pacific County, the Washington Department of Ecology, and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have identified major coastal processes of geology, weather, climate, and tidal actions influencing the erosion. In addition, USACE partnered with the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe in 2013 to restore the protective sand dune on the barrier island spits fronting their reservation in Tokeland, WA. These studies and construction experience highlight the complexity of controlling coastal storm impacts along this shoreline and suggest appropriate and effective protection measures.
The urgency for these protection measures cannot be overstated. Recent storm surges and tidal actions now threaten to breach the remaining defenses of State Highway SR105 and result in catastrophic flooding of nearly 4,000 acres of private and public lands, including loss of cranberry farms (supporting $8M in annual crop value and 350 peak-season farming and processing jobs) and Native American lands of cultural and historical significance to the Shoalwater Bay Tribe. There are no alternate routes for cross-county transit or utility infrastructure, thereby compromising access to electricity, schools, the Shoalwater Bay Tribe health clinic, and law enforcement for over 1300 businesses and residences.
Prior studies of this area by Pacific County, the Washington Department of Ecology, and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have identified major coastal processes of geology, weather, climate, and tidal actions influencing the erosion. In addition, USACE partnered with the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe in 2013 to restore the protective sand dune on the barrier island spits fronting their reservation in Tokeland, WA. These studies and construction experience highlight the complexity of controlling coastal storm impacts along this shoreline and suggest appropriate and effective protection measures.
The urgency for these protection measures cannot be overstated. Recent storm surges and tidal actions now threaten to breach the remaining defenses of State Highway SR105 and result in catastrophic flooding of nearly 4,000 acres of private and public lands, including loss of cranberry farms (supporting $8M in annual crop value and 350 peak-season farming and processing jobs) and Native American lands of cultural and historical significance to the Shoalwater Bay Tribe. There are no alternate routes for cross-county transit or utility infrastructure, thereby compromising access to electricity, schools, the Shoalwater Bay Tribe health clinic, and law enforcement for over 1300 businesses and residences.
WECAN's Response
WECAN is initiating state and federal action to respond to these coastal processes at North Cove. For more information, please contact WeCan@co.pacific.wa.us.
WECAN is initiating state and federal action to respond to these coastal processes at North Cove. For more information, please contact WeCan@co.pacific.wa.us.
Reports and Media
Assessment of Coastal Erosion and Future Projections for North Cove, Pacific County (Department of Ecology, 2017)
Hope Floats in Washaway Beach (KCTS video and article)
North Cove: the Erosion of a Coastal Community (Washington Coast Economist blog)
Assessment of Coastal Erosion and Future Projections for North Cove, Pacific County (Department of Ecology, 2017)
Hope Floats in Washaway Beach (KCTS video and article)
North Cove: the Erosion of a Coastal Community (Washington Coast Economist blog)
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Google Earth time lapse of North Cove 1984-2013. Compilation courtesy of George Kaminsky.
Public Meetings
May 9, 2017
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November 16, 2016
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Contacts
WECAN Administration WeCan@co.pacific.wa.us Charlene Nelson, Shoalwater Bay Tribe cnelson@shoalwaterbay-nsn.gov Lisa Ayers, Pacific County Commissioner District #3 layers@co.pacific.wa.us Colin Newell, Washington Department of Transportation NewellC@wsdot.wa.gov Tim Crose, Pacific County Department of Community Development tcrose@co.pacific.wa.us Mike Nordin, Pacific Conservation District plutroll@willapabay.org |
David Cottrell, Grayland Drainage District #1 cranberrydavid@yahoo.com Kevin Decker, Washington Sea Grant kadecker@uw.edu David Michalsen, US Army Corps of Engineers David.R.Michalsen@nwp01.usace.army.mil Tim Pelzel, Friends of North Cove timpelzel@gmail.com Kelly Rupp, LeadToResults, LLC kelly.rupp@leadtoresults.com Bobbak Talebi, Washington Department of Ecology bobbak.talebi@ecy.wa.gov |
Top Photo: Chelsea L Wood, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://www.flickr.com/photos/chelsealwood/28949501036/in/photostream/