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Post by Admin on Jan 4, 2016 5:59:31 GMT
Dear County Commissioners, Bill Lackner for the Clam Diggers Association here.
I contacted the Commission about a year and a half ago about the deteriorating structural integrity of the Coast Guard Crabbing Dock in Winchester Bay. At that time the Commissioners indicated that a feasibility study was underway to determine the fate of the crabbing dock.
At that time we addressed the value to the Coastal Economy that the crabbing dock represents and the recreational opportunity the crabbing dock provides to thousands of crabbers and fishermen each year. In other words, the value of the crabbing dock is too great to lose.
We would like to know what plans the County has developed to correct the problems.
Thank you, Bill Lackner for the Clam Diggers Association or Oregon.
Clam Diggers Association of Oregon
P.O. Box 746
Newport, OR 97365
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Post by Admin on Jan 5, 2016 3:32:24 GMT
Dear David, I received the following replies from Douglas County officials. Funding is the common theme in their responses. On our first attempt to deal with the deteriorating dock we suggested a surcharge on the shellfish license fee. Personally I support the idea of user fees to fund these types of facilities. However, the majority of our members do not, but the most vocal think they should not pay for anything. Considering the alternatives between losing a valued resource and doing nothing, I believe that the majority of recreational enthusiasts would support a modest license fee to create and maintain a permanent fund to pay for maintenance on these valuable resources. Would it be possible for the legislature to initiate a discussion to develop a permanent funding source for these types of funding needs?
Thank you for your consideration, Bill Lackner for the Clam Diggers Association of Oregon.
Dear Mr. Lackner,
Many thanks for your continued interest in the Coast Guard Crab Dock in Winchester Bay. We have completed an assessment of the dock and are currently looking for revenue sources to fund repairs to the sections closest to land. Do you have any ideas on where we should be looking for funding for the dock?
Look forward to hearing back from you, Susan
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify me immediately. If you are not the named addressee you should delete this email and not disseminate, distribute or copy it.
Susan Morgan
Douglas County Commissioner
Rm. 217, 1036 SE Douglas Ave.
Roseburg OR 97470
O: 541-440-4201
C: 541-537-0081
morgan@co.douglas.or.us
Bill,
Thank you for the inquiry. We did have a structural evaluation done on the crab dock. We got both good and bad news. The structure is in better shape than we anticipated, but the needed repairs are much more expensive than we’d hoped. I’m going to let Gary Groth from the Parks department chime in with additional information. Please know that I believe we all understand the importance of the Crab Dock and want to see it repaired and safe for people to use. The real question is how to find the money to make that happen.
Thank you,
Chris Boice
Douglas County Commissioner
Courthouse Rm 217
1036 S.E. Douglas Av
Roseburg, OR 97470
(541) 440-4201
Gary D. Groth (gdgroth@co.douglas.or.us)
Add to contacts
1:20 PM
To: Chris Boice, williamlackner001@msn.com Cc: Susan Morgan, Tim Freeman, Veronica M. VanDrimmelen
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From: Gary D. Groth (gdgroth@co.douglas.or.us)
Sent: Mon 1/04/16 1:20 PM
To: Chris Boice (boice@co.douglas.or.us); williamlackner001@msn.com (williamlackner001@msn.com)
Cc: Susan Morgan (morgan@co.douglas.or.us); Tim Freeman (freeman@co.douglas.or.us); Veronica M. VanDrimmelen (vmvandri@co.douglas.or.us)
Bill,
As Commissioner Boice explained we contracted for a structural evaluation of the crab dock last summer. The evaluation was completed by OBEC Consulting Engineers; a thorough inspection was done both above and below the water level.
Our next step will be to pull together interested agencies, groups and individuals to discuss repair options and how the repairs might be funded. We hope to meet at the coast within the next month. We will send you information about the meeting and hopefully you or a representative from the Clam Diggers Association can attend.
If you would like more details about the inspection or meeting plans please feel free to call my direct phone line: 541-464-6387.
Thank you for your interest.
Gary Groth
Director, Douglas County Parks and Land Departments
(541) 464-6387 - Parks
(541) 440-4301 - Land
gdgroth@co.douglas.or.us
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Post by Admin on Jan 12, 2016 1:18:29 GMT
Even though Winchester Bay is not in his District, State Representative Gomberg took the time to respond to our request for which we thank him for doing so. We also thank the Douglas County officials for doing the same. But, I have to say that Douglas County has some of the highest day use fees in Oregon so why would the County need a funding source to restore structural integrity to the aging crabbing dock in Winchester Bay? Could it be that the day sue fees are necessary to support use of public facilities at the recreational sites that we all use? I do know that the old Coast Guard crabbing is an integral part of the fabric that makes recreational opportunity in Oregon: Oregon.
Hi Bill,
I generally believe that local facilities such as the Winchester Bay crab dock should be funded through local sources. Either the County Commission or the Port District should be in charge. That said, I’ve seen proposals such as you suggest work elsewhere. The Oregon Marine Board has a very successful track record of using funds from boat registrations to fund recreational boat ramps and docks. I believe ODFW has worked with groups like Ducks Unlimited to co-fund installation of duck blinds for wheelchair-bound hunters, etc. So it’s not outside the realm of possibility. But as you point out, any surcharge will receive pushback, even from those who would benefit from the improvements. I think this needs to be led from Douglas County, and local port commissioners and crabbing enthusiasts need to come together to find room in their budgets. Perhaps the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission or one of the big seafood processors could be convinced to donate towards the project? Who knows. But it needs to be led from a local level. I hope this helps.
Warm regards,
David
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Post by Admin on Jan 20, 2016 8:02:56 GMT
Greetings,
The Douglas County Parks Department is coordinating a meeting to discuss options for the management of the Crabbing Dock in Winchester Bay, Oregon. The meeting will be held at the Marina Activity Center, 263 Marina Way, Winchester Bay on Monday, January 25th at 5 pm. Your attendance and input would be greatly appreciated.
The Crabbing Dock in Winchester Bay is a very popular recreational facility used by thousands of local sportsmen and visitors alike each year. It is an important economic attraction as well as a cultural icon in the Reedsport/Winchester Bay community. As you are probably aware, the dock has deteriorated in recent years and is in need of significant repairs.
In summer 2015 the Parks Department contracted with Oregon Bridge Engineering Company (OBEC) to perform a structural inspection of the Crabbing Dock. The results of that inspection will be discussed at the January 25th meeting. In January of 2016 OBEC also provided a proposal for engineering services that will be presented.
Due to the current fiscal crisis in Douglas County, options for financing the needed repairs to the Crabbing Dock will be a major discussion point at the meeting.
If you would like additional information prior to the meeting, please feel free to contact the Douglas County Parks Department at (541) 957-7001.
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Post by Admin on Feb 17, 2016 1:33:20 GMT
Dear Mr. Lackner,
I’m writing to you because you have expressed concern about the condition of the Winchester Bay Crab Dock. I am preparing a grant application that will be submitted to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department for a grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to help fund needed repairs on the dock. The application requires letters of support; would you be willing to provide a letter of support representing the Clam Diggers Association of Oregon? If so, please contact me and I will give you further details.
Thank you,
Gary Groth,
Director, Douglas County Parks and Land Departments
The CDAO response to Gary Groth.
Dear Gary, we are ready to provide you with letters of support for the repair and restoration of the Winchester Bay Crabbing Dock. It has been a pleasure to work with you, the Douglas County Commissioners and associated staff. We appreciate the County's proactive response to maintaining the crabbing dock for the use and benefit of all recreational enthusiast.
Thank you, William Lackner for the Clam Diggers Association of Oregon
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Post by Admin on Feb 19, 2016 5:42:45 GMT
2/18/2016
Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Committee
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
725 Summer St. N.E. Suite C
Salem, OR 97301-1271
Dear Members of the Grant Committee, Bill Lackner here for the Clam Diggers Association of Oregon.
The CDAO is requesting your support for approval of the grant request by the Douglas County Department of Parks and Recreation to repair the failing and deteriorating Winchester Bay Crabbing Dock.
In actuality the Winchester Bay Crabbing Dock is multi use facility for recreational enthusiast and a necessary component of local economy. The dock draws thousands of visitors to Winchester Bay from both near and far. A fact confirmed my personal conversations with visitors to the dock.
Visitors to the dock participate in all sorts of activities ranging from wildlife viewing, to crabbing. The presence of the dock has become an integral part of the family planning process. Families choose Winchester Bay as their vacation destination because of the recreational opportunities the dock provides their family.
Thank you for your consideration, Bill Lackner for the Clam Diggers Association of Oregon
P.O. BOX 746
Newport, OR 97365
541 265 5847
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