Defend Cannon Beach from Harmful Riprap

Surfrider’s North Coast Chapter, along with Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition, Friends of the Dunes at Cannon Beach, and concerned community members, fought a proposed riprap structure that threatened the public shoreline in the Tolovana Park neighborhood of Cannon Beach.  

After many years of inaction and then minimal, unengineered sand placement, the homeowner applied for a riprap revetment.  This property is eligible to apply for shoreline armoring, given that it was developed prior to 1977.  However, as is the case with many applications for shoreline armoring, their application dismisses, with little consideration, less impactful alternatives that would better protect the public beach, and the recreational, scenic, and natural resources that it provides to all people. Despite citing issues with wave overtopping and potential safety concerns, the applicant’s geotechnical engineer admits that the proposed riprap revetment would not prevent wave overtopping or run up on the adjoining property.

In November 2024, the Cannon Beach Planning Commission first held a hearing, during which Surfrider volunteers, among others, testified.  In December 2024, the Planning Commission denied the application.  In January 2025, the applicant appealed this decision to the Cannon Beach City Council.  Surfrider’s North Coast Chapter worked with partner organization Oregon Shores to engage our members in public hearings, comment periods, and provide legal review of the project’s proposal and evaluate impacts to the public beach.  In February 2025, Cannon Beach City Council held a public hearing for appeal by the applicant.  Surfrider staff, along with other community members, submitted comments in opposition of the application and testified at the hearing.  During the hearing, it was discovered that opposing testimony was not included in the packet given to the City Councillors for review, so a second hearing was scheduled to ensure full review of all materials.  Councillor Ostrander recused himself, as he had been on the Planning Commission during the original vote.  At a public hearing on March 5, 2025, the remaining four Cannon Beach City Councillors voted, resulting in a tie, resulting in the appeal failing and the Planning Commissions denial becoming the City’s final decision.  Read their full findings and staff report here.  

“In this situation, the ultimate cost to the public will be the loss of the beach under the revetment, as well as the long term loss of the beach in front of the rip-rap revetment due to beach scouring and lack of sand replenishment. This carries a significant long-term cost to the public in lost tourism, safety during high tides and sneaker waves, enjoyment of wildlife that lives within the beach/due ecosystem, and mental/emotional well-being. Given the rate of erosion in this area and the long-term loss of access to this portion of the beach, this factor is not met.”

-Excerpt from City of Cannon Beach Decision

While the applicant did not appeal to LUBA, they could still reapply with the city.  However, we are hopeful that they will instead consider a beach-friendly alternative to riprap.

***This Campaign is a part of the Oregon Beaches Forever Campaign. We’re looking to raise 10,000 voices to safeguard Oregon’s Beaches – add your voice here today!***