On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, the North Coast Communities for Watershed Protection (NCCWP) will host a pivotal community meeting at St. Mary by the Sea Parish Hall, located at 275 S. Pacific St., Rockaway Beach, Oregon. This Earth Day event, running from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. for mingling and free pizza, invites residents to engage in vital discussions about protecting local drinking water sources. Whether you’re a lifelong local or a recent arrival, your participation is crucial in shaping a sustainable future for the region’s watersheds.
This free, public event offers a unique opportunity to connect with neighbors, enjoy complimentary pizza, and hear from experts, including a retired EPA scientist who will share insights from decades of environmental protection work. The meeting will spotlight two urgent issues: preserving the Nedonna Beach wetlands and halting logging in the Nehalem watershed. Attendees are encouraged to share their perspectives, voice concerns, and explore ways to contribute to these grassroots efforts.
The Nedonna Beach neighborhood, home to approximately 360 households, is a designated “drinking water source area for groundwater wells” by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). These wells serve as a critical backup water supply for Rockaway Beach when Jetty Creek, the primary drinking water source, becomes too muddy or experiences low stream flow. The area’s freshwater, forested, and shrub wetlands are not only ecologically vital but also play a key role in maintaining clean drinking water.
However, a recent decision by the City of Rockaway Beach to approve a 28-house development in a federally and county-designated wetland area has sparked widespread concern. The proposed subdivision threatens increased flooding, limited emergency access due to a single egress point, potential septic system failures, and saltwater intrusion into the drinking water supply. Approximately 75 percent of existing homes in Nedonna Beach, located outside city limits, rely on aging septic systems, amplifying the risks of contamination.
The Oregon Shores Conservation Council, represented by the Crag Law Center, challenged the city’s approval, but the appeal was denied. The case is now under review by the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA). At the April 22 meeting, community members will have the chance to discuss strategies for protecting these wetlands from further development. The retired EPA scientist will provide expert insights into the role of wetlands as natural water filters and flood mitigators, emphasizing their importance to both public health and the environment.
Attendees will explore how to build a robust, local grassroots movement to safeguard the Nedonna wetlands. This is a chance to share ideas, address concerns, and collaborate on actionable steps to ensure these critical ecosystems remain protected for future generations.
The second focus of the meeting is the Nehalem watershed, which has endured significant environmental degradation due to decades of logging. Originally clear-cut by a logging company and possibly transferred to the city in the 1940s, the watershed has been logged in stages since the 1980s to generate revenue. Nearly 40 years later, only the steepest slopes remain untouched, with the majority of the area harvested.
The expiration of the city’s 25-year contract with a timber management firm in 2025 marks a critical juncture. Continued logging threatens water quality, ecosystem health, and the watershed’s ability to provide clean drinking water. A speaker at the meeting will outline the environmental impacts of these practices and present the goals of a local conservation group dedicated to protecting the watershed. They will also discuss alternative strategies, such as sustainable land management or ecotourism, that could replace logging while supporting the local economy.
Community involvement is essential to shaping the future of the Nehalem watershed. The speaker will highlight opportunities for residents to advocate for protective policies and collaborate with local organizations to restore and preserve this vital resource. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how they can contribute to these efforts.
Wetlands and watersheds are cornerstones of ecological and public health, filtering pollutants, mitigating floods, and ensuring a reliable water supply. The threats posed by development in Nedonna Beach and logging in the Nehalem watershed underscore the urgency of collective action.
Join the NCCWP on April 22, 2025, at St. Mary by the Sea Parish Hall to be part of the conversation. For more information, contact rockawaycitizen.water@gmail.com or visit healthywatershed.org and facebook.com/NCCWATERSHEDPROTECTION.
North Coast Communities for Watershed Protection is a grassroots organization dedicated to safeguarding and restoring drinking watersheds, ensuring safe drinking water and clean air for all.