Keep Off The Dunes

[Smiling JOe]

Wait...how did you get so close to this guy!!

Kurt told me that there was a new sign posted at that location, and we noticed less people walking through the dunes. So, I walked up to see and read the sign posted where the driveway meets the dunes. It was such a good looking sign, I went back to grab me camera, and as I was taking the photo, I notice this guy walking through the dunes toward me. So, I siezed the moment, with a brief interview at the end. The well worn path leads right to this sign, so, without an optional route, he had to face the music.

 

[Mary N.]

I am a long time owner in the area. I have resisted getting a beach driving permit on principle all these years. As an ex-"professional environmentalist" I made the choice to forsake the convenience and walk a little further, because it's the right thing to do for so many reasons. The irony is, it seems like many who are vocal about preservation of beaches overlook the vehicle issue as insignificant, (because there is a well-worn area that's "used" to cars, someone said)... yet they rail over two feet walking a well-worn path. Please, everyone, I know it's hard to break lifelong habits, but we need to wake up. If you're honest with yourself, you know it's harmful. It is well documented that vehicles damage the beach. A recent environmental study (based in New Zealand, but applicable to all beach regions) has found that vehicles are the #1 most damaging unnatural entity to a beach. Add the obvious fact that fumes are (ob) noxious!

It is sad to see such righteous indignation, as someone else apty put it, by those who are doing equivalent damage.

As more and more people get Beach Access permits, the County should maybe look into Grandfathering in current permit holders, but limiting new applicants.

I have a great deal of respect for your passion and activism, so I don't understand your viewpoint on this. The real answer is NO cars on the beach. Phase them all out. Especially now in this critical stage. For the love of our beach, please open your minds and eyes to this irony.

 

[Wildernester]

Mary N.

Although your post seems to have stopped this thread dead in its tracks, as you can see, I agree and support your position.

There are too many people who rail against innocent tourists, many of whom are small children, but those same people drive beach vehicles across what, if not driven on, would be dune areas. Also the trash that I see left on the beach comes in large part from people who are in those vehicles.

It is distressing that people who live on or near beaches on which they cannot drive come to Grayton with their vehicles and dump their trash and spoil the beach closest to where we live. I sometimes wish I could return the favor, but I get over and walk around and pick up their trash.

I apoligize for the righteous indignation.

 

[Kurt]

I would not oppose the end of vehicles on the beach. There are far too many now. Five years ago there were very few by comparison. My main concern is for safety though. Someone is going to get hurt.

Some visitor to this thread might get the wrong impression and think that vehicles are everywhere on the beaches. Driving is only allowed in SoWal in a small are in Grayton Beach and Inlet Beach. A few hundred yards out of 26 miles of beaches.

The damage to the dune system up and down the beaches by foot traffic (thousands and thousands of feet, not just 2) is what this thread is about. Feel free to start another thread about vehicles. I know there have been a few, a couple with polls also.

http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=297&highlight=vehicles