Outdoor Month
June is Great Outdoors Month, which also underscores the importance of outdoor recreation in Oregon. As temperatures warm up, people are enjoying nature. Five years ago, Congress designated June Great Outdoors Month to highlight the trove of outside opportunities across the nation. With a half dozen national park sites and also state parks, Oregon has a plethora of places for people to get outside. Oregon Senator Ron Wyden says outdoor recreation provides a big boost to the state’s economy.
“When people go into the forest, they load up on fuel and supplies and equipment, and maybe they’re going to stay overnight, they’re going to have meals and stop for a craft brew afterwards, and it’s a big economic multiplier.”
And here on the coast, ten’s of thousands of visitors each month provide the economic boom to help businesses survive. Outdoor recreation generates seven-point-five billion dollars in Oregon, according to the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, and supports 73-thousand jobs. Nationally, outdoor recreation accounts for two-point-two percent of the country’s G-D-P.
Project Update
Rhododendron Drive between 35th street and Wildwinds continues to be closed to through traffic as part of the Rhododendron Realignment project. This includes bicycle and pedestrian traffic. Access is available to the Oregon Coast Humane society and the Lane County transfer station, but that access must come from the Wildwinds end of Rhododendron. City officials appreciate the public’s help and patience during this project. Residents who would like to receive updates on the project can sign up on the city of Florence’s website at ci.florence.or.us. Last week saw the completion of the sewer line installation and concrete was poured at 35th and rhododendron for curbs and ADA ramps. Electrical work also began from central Lincoln PUD.
Razor Clamming Partially Opens
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is reporting that razor clamming is still closed along the coastline for much of the central and southern coast, however it has reopened in Yachats and to the Washington border. Bay Clam and Mussels remain on the closed list after the most recent testing for toxins. ODFW tests every two weeks for biotoxins in shellfish. Crab harvesting remains open along the entire Oregon Coast.
