This may well be a good thing for Cape Disappointment
State park (soon to become part Lewis and Clark National
Park), but all of those "car tourists" have helped double
the impact to Ft Stevens State Park on the Oregon side.
Oregon State Parks, because of a clause in the original purchase
aggreement, does not have the option of closing off sections
of road or charging admittance fees except at the campground
and Coffenbury Lake.

Policy shifts at Washington State Parks has had some significant
regional impacts on the lower Columbia that were surely
unintended, but predictable.

The wear and tear on Ft Steven has been such, in the past
couple years (coincident with changes at Cape Disappointment),
that I almost never bother to go birding at Ft Stevens or
Cape Disappointment. I just makes me too sad. For some reason
out of state visitors are more likely to ignore no fireworks
signs, leash laws, off road vehicle restrictions and litter laws....

And when Cape D becomes part of the National Park system,
things will change again......

--- original message ---
Subject: a boon for birds at Ft. Canby
From: Judy Stone-Roth <ravan AT centurytel.net>
Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2004 08:52:02 -0700

We had relatives out for a lighthouse and jetty tour. What difference
a year makes! The new State Park rules regarding parking, jetty access,
and passes has resulted in a dearth of 'car tourists', and a plethora
of resting bird species. Caspian Terns with young, mixed with Brown
Pelicans, and several gull species, the birds were actually in the
shallow surf enjoying themselves, alone. I really believe the fact you
now have to walk a half mile, in soft sand, and pay for the privilege
is returning this area to natural happenings. With binos and scope we
were able to watch all the interaction without disturbing " the beach
combers"! At the North Lighthouse many Swainson's Thrushes, and a
Southern Sea lion feeding just off the headlands.
Judy Stone-Roth
Ocean Park WA
ravan AT centurytel.net


--
Mike Patterson
Astoria, OR
celata at pacifier.com