Take Action to Protect Cannon Beach: Submit Public Comment on Proposed Riprap

Regarding OPRD Ocean Shores Permit Application # 3123-26

Urgent - Public Comments must be received by September 27th!

Seize this opportunity to let your voice be heard in the ongoing battle against harmful shoreline armoring! The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is currently reviewing an application to construct a riprap revetment along the public shoreline in Cannon Beach. The proposed project would place a permanent shoreline armoring structure along approximately 50 feet of oceanfront property at 3915 Ocean Ave - not a full-time residence but rather a short term rental property.

This is an important opportunity for beach users, community members, neighbors, visitors, conservationists, and everyone who values Oregon’s public beaches to tell OPRD how this project could affect the public shoreline.

Why does this permit matter?

Riprap is a form of shoreline armoring that uses a layer of large boulders to protect oceanfront development from erosion. While shortsighted homeowners may view armoring as a quick solution to protect the property directly behind it, hard shoreline structures can also interfere with the natural movement of waves and sand. This contributes to loss or narrowing of the beach in front of and beside armored areas.

Surfrider has repeatedly raised these concerns about the impacts of riprap on Oregon’s beaches, including the dangers of beach scouring, sediment loss, impacts to neighboring properties, recreational access, destroyed habitat, and the long-term public cost of protecting private development.

You may remember that this particular proposal has already generated significant community worry and opposition. Earlier versions of the proposal were denied by the Cannon Beach Planning Commission, and a previous appeal also failed. A later application was again denied by the Planning Commission before the Cannon Beach City Council overturned the application denial by 1 vote in November 2025. Now, the project would still need to independently satisfy OPRD’s state Ocean Shore Permit standards to move forward.

What can you do? Help protect Cannon Beach by submitting your own Public Comment!

Long story short, this permit has been rightfully denied multiple times and we need to make it clear to OPRD that denying this riprap project is the correct and responsible resolution. The application is currently in the public comment period and is awaiting review by OPRD. This is our opportunity to turn out as many public comments as possible to communicate to OPRD that we collectively oppose beach armoring.

What can you write about?

OPRD asks the public to address whether granting the permit would be detrimental to:

• Interests and safety of the public

• Natural resource values of the ocean shore

• Scenic values

• Recreational values
  
  
• Economic values

Speak to any of these elements that particularly resonate with you and let your concerns be heard. Keep in mind that your comment does not need to be technical or lengthy. The most meaningful part of a public comment is sharing your own story and personal connection to the beach. A strong comment should explain who you are, why this beach matters to you, what specifically concerns you about this proposal, and why you believe OPRD should deny Permit #3123-26.

Public Commenting Guide:

We encourage you to focus on one or more of the following issues:

1. Protect the public beach, not just private property

Oregon’s beaches are a precious public resource. Ask OPRD to consider whether permanently altering the ocean shore to protect one private property creates unacceptable long-term impacts for everyone who uses the beach.

This is a great opportunity to highlight your favorite uses of this public beach and how that might be impacted by narrowing or eventual loss of usable beach resulting from riprap.

A key question for OPRD to review in shoreline armoring proposals is whether less damaging alternatives have been exhausted. In this application, the applicants are arguing that nonstructural approaches would be inadequate for this site. Rather than automatically accepting this, we must ask OPRD to independently determine the validity of that conclusion. It is possible that nature-based and non-structural solutions can protect this property while better preserving the public beach.

2. Consider cumulative impacts, not just this one 50-ft section

A single revetment should not be considered in isolation from the surrounding armored shoreline. The application itself discusses substantial existing riprap both north and south of the property. The concern is that each additional armored property can contribute to a progressively hardened coastline, eventually transforming a previously sandy public beach. Riprap doesn’t protect, but rather starts a domino effect of increased erosion.

3. Preserve recreational access and public safety

Even if people are technically able to pass the site now, ask OPRD to consider accessibility conditions over the full life of the hard structure.

Will people still be able to safely walk past this revetment during high tides, or after future beach erosion? A narrowing beach could force the public closer to waves, rocks, or other hazards. Practical and safe beach access must be protected for the long-term.

4. Scenic and natural resource values

Cannon Beach’s iconic sandy beaches are part of its ecological and scenic identity.

Ask OPRD to consider whether placing additional engineered rock structures along the shoreline (even if partially covered by sand and vegetation) would alter the natural character of the beach over time. Specific concerns include loss of important beach and dune habitat for coastal wildlife, maintaining native shoreline vegetation, and the cumulative conversion of natural beaches into an engineered shoreline.

5. Long-term public costs

The relevant costs are not just limited to those who pay for the initial riprap installation.

Ask OPRD to consider possible public costs associated with beach armoring, such as loss of recreational beach, diminished visitor experience, future maintenance, emergency access, and effects on neighboring properties.

Remember to make your comment personal!

Share your personal connection and tell OPRD why you care about this beach! Maybe you’re a fellow oceanfront homeowner and have seen the damaging effects of a neighbor’s riprap revetment. Perhaps you’re an avid beachcomber and you walk this stretch of beach everyday. Let OPRD know who you are and why the future of this beach matters to you! Your personal testimony helps explain the real public recreational, scenic, economic, and community values that OPRD’s rules are intended to protect.

Concerns from all beach lovers are important, so you don’t have to live in Cannon Beach to comment.

Sample Public Comment

Subject: Public Comment Opposing Ocean Shore Permit #3123-26

To: Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OceanShores.Permits@oprd.oregon.gov)

I am writing to urge OPRD to deny Ocean Shore Permit Application #3123-26 for the proposed riprap revetment at 3195 Ocean Avenue in Cannon Beach.

[Briefly introduce yourself and explain your connection to Cannon Beach and/or the Oregon coast]

I am deeply concerned that approving additional permanent shoreline armoring at this location is at risk of harming the long-term recreational, scenic, natural resource, and public access values of the ocean shore.

In particular, I am concerned about [choose specific issue(s) most important to you: beach erosion, public access, impacts to neighboring properties, natural habitat, scenic character, cumulative armoring, or public costs].

I also ask OPRD to carefully and independently evaluate whether less harmful alternatives to permanent riprap at this location have been adequately investigated. Permanent shoreline armoring should not be approved unless this applicant has clearly demonstrated that reasonable alternatives that better protect the public beach are not feasible at this property.

Oregon’s shoreline is an invaluable public resource. Protecting one private property should not come at the long-term expense and risk of irreparable damage to the public beach or natural coastal processes.

For these reasons, I respectfully ask OPRD to deny Permit Application #3123-26.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Name and optional community/city if relevant]

How to submit your comment

Preferably, send your written comments by email to the OPRD Ocean Shore Permit Program at OceanShores.Permits@oprd.oregon.gov  with “Application # 3123-26” included in the subject line. Bcc khazard@surfrider.org so we can track

Alternatively, comments may be mailed to:

Tyler Blanchette

OREGON PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT

P.O. Box 2139

Waldport, OR 97394

Comments must be received no later than September 27, 2026!