Protect the Public Beach at Tolovana

Local citizens and advocates from Friends of Dunes have been fighting riprap structures and advocating for more nature-based alternatives for nearly a decade now. Surfrider's North Coast Chapter recently joined one of these efforts to oppose an extensive rip rap proposal in the Tolovana Beach area of town. Following a unanimous decision to deny the proposal by the Planning Commission, the City Council recently upheld that decision in an appeal by the applicant. The decision marks a significant victory for local beach advocates and helps pave the way for a more nature-based solution to erosion.

"There is no doubt that the applicant faces significant potential erosion and that some level of protection is appropriate; however, the Council must remain conscious that shoreline protective structures require the sacrifice of portions of the public beach that the Council must steward for future generations."

-excerpt from City of Cannon Beach decision

Oregon’s public beaches are a cherished treasure, one we hope to leave for future generations. However, rising sea levels and coastal development are shrinking these beaches, threatening public access and recreation. This erosion not only endangers recreational areas but also impacts vital habitats and ecological balance, while reducing climate and storm resilience in coastal communities.

The Stephanie Inn applied to replace their existing riprap with a more robust structure, after a lack of maintenance over the last 25 years left it in disrepair.  This property is eligible for shoreline armoring, given that it was developed prior to 1977. The existing riprap structure replaced a seawall that was there previously.  However, as is the case with many applications for shoreline armoring, there was little to no consideration of less impactful alternatives that would better protect the public beach, and the recreational, scenic, and natural resources that it provides to all people. 

In July 2024, the Cannon Beach Planning Commission denied the application.  The applicant appealed this decision to the Cannon Beach City Council, and in September, the City Council upheld the denial.  Surfrider joined in the local leadership of Friends of Dunes to engage throughout the application process testifying in public hearings and comment periods, and providing extensive legal review of the project’s proposal to evaluate impacts to the public beach - View our comments here.

More information on this application and the staff report findings can be found on the City website.

***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!***