Part One of this blog: 98569 Coastal Erosion Attitudes
No longer Here – Ferry to Westport – Fell Apart on the Ocean Shores Side
Ocean Shores to Westport: Remembering the El Matador Ferry
By Douglas Scott
“Sadly, the ferry service shut down in 2008, but not due to lack of popularity. While the ferry service had seen closures in previous years, the service would always pick back up and be celebrated by residents and visitors alike. Sadly, after too much sand and silt built up around the Ocean Shores marina, the El Matador was forced to cancel trips across the harbor. What was once a family-friendly boating experience and adventure across the harbor is now relegated to fond memories.”
Public access for beach walkers at Damon Point (Once a State Park)
Public access for beach walkers at Damon Point – For a town that promotes visitors, tourism and good times at the beach, things are piss poor over at Damon Point.
Today, beach walkers moving toward the water from the parking area at Damon Point are channeled to a choice between an eroded/unsafe former road drop-off and private property that is posted, telling walkers that they are not welcome. WTF?
Photo above – Winter 2022/2023
Two photos below: Nov 12, 2023
Is there an attitude related to climate change/sea level rise that is used as an excuse to back away from maintaining the shore?
Other Parts of the Beach are Maintained Year Round
Think of Ocean Shores beach entry points at Chance A La Mer, Pacific Blvd, Ocean Lake Way and Taurus Blvd.
The black top ends and the sand is cleared out of the way on a routine basis. Concerns Re: tsunami zone, global warming, sea level rise, climate crisis, king tides, coastal erosion, El Niño/La Niña and winter storms do not get in the way of keeping things maintained between the blacktop and the beach. Thanks go out to the people who do this work. We appreciate it.
Imagine telling the fishing boat captains over at Westport that their access to a 100 year old armor-plated harbor was going to be let go because too much sand and silt built up around the marina. Imagine letting the people of Westport know there will be no more lodging out there, shops, restaurants, etc.
A 100-year old jetty used to protect Ocean Shores. Can new technologies save its south end?
Any federal money for ports and coastal improvement?
Plenty of cash for Ukraine/undeclared/unwon wars and here is what you get back home:
$6.3 million in federal cash for a used hotel.
Any questions from newspeople?
December 8, 2022 The Daily World
Dept. of Ag invests $6.3M to purchase Ocean Shores hotel
$6.3 million “to fund the acquisition of an existing hotel. Marathon Enterprises Inc. is located in Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington. The project is expected to result in saving eight jobs and creating one full time job.”
Zero questions from small or large newspapers. Zero questions from TV newspeople.
Possibly of interest:
Federal Cash For The Coast – 98569
