In the summer of 2023 aerial spraying of 400 some clear cut acres of timberland were to be sprayed directly up-stream and up-hill from the Beaver Creek neighborhood near South Beaver Creek.  The Seal Rock Water District intake draws water from the Beaver Creek Watershed serving 5,500 households between South Beach and the Alsea river.  This served as a wake up call within the broader community that our measure had been preempted. Residents, drinking water customers and community members from neighboring communities led protests to inform the public of the unacceptable plan to aerial spray. They also engaged in negotiations for “no spray”, but settling for hand spray, and then mobilized the formation of what has come to be known as Protect Oregon Watersheds (POW).  Lincoln County Community Rights (LCCR) leaders continue to collaborate with POW, monitoring timber operations in the county. We’re also affiliated with other state-wide Community Rights chapters within the Oregon Community Rights Network (ORCRN), all of us expanding public awareness of timber industry activities that damage watersheds, and expose humans and wildlife to deadly poisons.  

LCCR/POW have offered community education classes in ’23 and are readying for ’24’s fall series to deepen public awareness about water issues, consequences of industrial timber management, and how water can be protected.

2024 has brought clear cutting and ground spraying to City of Waldport’s municipal drinking water and the protests persist informing residents and visitors about the damages industry causes to the public health of the people and function of the land to provide abundant water.