Appendix E

Recreational Resources

February 2012
Appendix E, Yaquina Bay ODMDS Evaluation/EA

Appendix E

Recreational Resources

Table of Contents

Introduction................................................................................................................................... E-1

Recreational Use Areas................................................................................................................. E-1

Impacts of Disposal Operations.................................................................................................... E-8

Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... E-8

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure E-1. Participation in Oregon Coastal Recreational Activities .......................................... E-2

Figure E-2. Ocean (Human Powered) Recreation in the Newport, Oregon, Area ....................... E-3

Figure E-3. Boating in the Newport, Oregon, Area ..................................................................... E-4

Figure E-4. Wildlife Viewing in the Newport, Oregon, Area...................................................... E-5

Figure E-5. Shoreside Recreation in the Newport, Oregon, Area................................................ E-6
Appendix A, Yaquina Bay ODMDS Evaluation/EA E-1

Appendix E

Recreational Resources

Introduction

This appendix identifies the major recreational use areas in the vicinity of the proposed Yaquina Bay

North and South ocean dredged material disposal sites (ODMDS). The information was compiled to 

determine the potential impacts of disposal operations on recreation.

Recreational Use Areas

The Yaquina Bay vicinity offers a wide variety of recreation opportunities during all seasons of the 

year. The primary categories of activities are likely beachcombing, wildlife viewing from shore or a 

boat, and fishing (Figure E-1). Nearby beaches and entrance jetties receive a continual influx of 

recreationists. South Beach State Park is located adjacent to the Yaquina Bay south jetty and 

provides camping and day-use facilities and beach access.

Non-consumptive Use. In a survey of Oregon residents conducted by Surfrider Foundation, 

NaturalEquity, and Ecotrust for Oregon’s Territorial Sea Plan Amendment process in 2011, Lincoln 

County was the most visited county in Oregon to recreate in within the year prior to the study.1 The 

survey also recorded the respondents activities upon their last trip to the Oregon coast. The 

respondents recreated in four categories: (1) ocean (human powered) recreation, i.e., kayaking, 

surfing, swimming, SCUBA diving, snorkeling, and skim boarding (Figure E-2); (2) boating, i.e., 

sailing, power boating, windsurfing, kite boarding, personal water crafts, and tow-in surfing (Figure 

E-3); (3) wildlife viewing, i.e., bird watching, tide pooling, and whale watching (Figure E-4); and 

(4), shoreside recreation, i.e., beach going, scenic enjoyment, storm watching, biking/hiking, offroad vehicles, and photography (Figure E-5).

All of these categories of activities occurred in medium to high popularity on the beach or very close 

to it, while wildlife viewing, likely because of whale watching activities, was the only activity that 

occurred at the North or South ODMDS; only one to three people (out of the 4,072 respondents) 

indicated they recreated in this area.

 

1

Surfrider Foundation et al. 2011. Non-consumptive Ocean Recreation in Oregon: Human Uses, Economic 

Impacts, and Spatial Data. 60 pages. http://surfrider.org/images/uploads/publications/OR_rec_study.pdf

(accessed August 2011).
Appendix A, Yaquina Bay ODMDS Evaluation/EA E-2

Figure E-1. Participation in Oregon Coastal Recreational Activities

The graph below summarizes the rankings for all recreational activities along Oregon’s coast as a percent of all 

survey respondents over a 1-year period. The ranking of activities is likely similar for activities in Lincoln 

County, including Newport, because the survey recorded Lincoln County as having the highest recreational use 

on the Oregon coast (Surfrider Foundation 2011).
Appendix A, Yaquina Bay ODMDS Evaluation/EA E-3

Figure E-2. Ocean (Human Powered) Recreation in the Newport, Oregon, Area

Includes kayaking, surfing, swimming, SCUBA diving, snorkeling and skim boarding. Blocks created 

by respondents indicating what they did and where during their last trip to the Newport area.
Appendix A, Yaquina Bay ODMDS Evaluation/EA E-4

Figure E-3. Boating in the Newport, Oregon, Area

Includes sailing, power boating, windsurfing, kite boarding, personal water crafts, and tow-in surfing. Blocks 

created by respondents indicating what they did, and where, during their last trip to the Newport area.
Appendix A, Yaquina Bay ODMDS Evaluation/EA E-5

Figure E-4. Wildlife Viewing in the Newport, Oregon, Area

Includes tide-pooling, bird watching, and whale watching. Blocks created by respondents indicating what they 

did, and where, during their last trip to the Newport area.
Appendix A, Yaquina Bay ODMDS Evaluation/EA E-6

Figure E-5. Shoreside Recreation in the Newport, Oregon, Area

Includes beach going, scenic enjoyment, storm watching, bike/hike, off-road vehicles, and photography. 

Blocks created by respondents indicating what they did and where during their last trip to the Newport area.
Appendix A, Yaquina Bay ODMDS Evaluation/EA E-7

Recreational Fishing. Yaquina Bay and the nearshore area are heavily used for recreational fishing 

and boating (Figure E-6). The principal recreational fishing that occurs off Yaquina Bay is for 

salmon and bottom fish. Salmon fishing is done by charter boat and private boat. Bottom fishing is 

done along the south reef area by charter boat for black rockfish and lingcod. The north reef is not 

fished to any extent because of its hazardous navigation conditions. Other fishery recreational 

activities include clamming in the bay and along the beach, and spear fishing along the jetties.

Figure E-6. Recreational Fishing
Appendix E, Yaquina Bay ODMDS Evaluation/EA E-8

Impacts of Disposal Operations

The proposed North and South ocean disposal sites are located in and near recreational fishing areas (see 

Figure E-1). Few conflicts are expected to occur between anglers and dredge operations due to the 

availability of alternate fishing sites. Conflicts between disposal operations and recreationists may occur 

as the dredge is en route to the ocean disposal sites. These conflicts may include time delays for 

recreational boaters caused by the passing of the dredge or an increase in navigational hazards during 

congested periods. Conflicts such as these can be considered an inconvenience rather than a threat to 

recreational activity. The only serious problem would be a collision between recreational boaters and 

dredge traffic. Accidents of this nature are rare because the dredge moves at a slow speed and the 

potential for collisions is low. In addition, dredged material is expected to be disposed over a period of 

32 days during the dredging period, which is April through October. Generally, disposal is expected to 

occur up to 6 days in April or May, then from June 15 to October 31.

The proposed ocean disposal sites are at least 2,000 feet from the end of the jetties, and 3,000 feet from 

the nearest beach. There are pinnacles in the vicinity of either site. When dredged material is deposited 

at ocean disposal sites, turbidity increases in the surrounding waters. This results in reduced visual 

quality of the area and may disrupt the feeding patterns of sport fish. Both of these situations are 

temporary (minutes to a few hours) and limited in area, with normal conditions returning as soon as the 

sediment settles.

Conclusion

The use of the proposed Yaquina North and South ocean disposal sites should have little impact on 

recreation in the area. During disposal operations, the turbidity in the surrounding water increases. Any 

impact this may have on sport angling or visual quality of the area is temporary and limited in area. Some 

inconveniences may be experienced by recreational boaters and anglers. Disposal activities typically 

occur over a period of 32 days in April through October (up to 6 days in April or May, then from June 15 

to October 31). Overall, the disposal operations appear to pose no serious threats to recreation.

If future studies indicate the disposal operations are either detrimental to ocean fauna or disrupt sediment 

deposition along the coastline, further information should be collected to determine more specifically

what extent the impacts have on recreation. However, until any of these impacts are observed, future 

disposal of dredged material at the proposed sites is not expected to have any substantial effects on 

recreation.