07/06/2026
Setting the Record Straight: Five Myths About the Cannon Beach Foredune Initiative
Oregon Coast Alliance (ORCA) published an article about our citizen initiative containing a number of factual inaccuracies. We welcome thoughtful debate. This is an important issue for our community, and reasonable people can certainly disagree.
Voter decisions should be based on what the initiative actually says—not on misconceptions or assumptions about motives.
Here are a few facts.
Claim #1: The initiative replaces Cannon Beach's 2020 Foredune Management Plan.
It does not.
Our initiative specifically recognizes that the City's 2020 Dune Management Plan remains an important part of local land use planning. It also expressly states that it is not intended to alter existing administrative frameworks and that all dune management must comply with applicable state and local laws.
The initiative leaves the City's existing planning framework in place.
What it changes is not the planning framework—it changes the City's obligation to act.
Today, the City has a Dune Management Plan, but it has no affirmative obligation to routinely inventory hazards, identify impaired public access, develop a plan to address those conditions, publicly report on its progress, and make reasonable efforts to carry out that work.
Our initiative creates those obligations.
Claim #2: The initiative requires replacing European beachgrass with native vegetation.
It does not.
The initiative gives the City flexibility to determine the appropriate management response for each location.
It specifically states that, where appropriate, the City may use foredune grading, invasive species removal, revegetation—or any combination of those approaches.
The phrase "where appropriate" is important because it leaves those management decisions to the City, its professional advisors, and the normal permitting process.
The initiative does not dictate a single solution.
Claim #3: This initiative is really about restoring private ocean views.
This claim is tired, but it simply is not supported by the initiative.
The initiative never authorizes grading for private views. It never even mentions private views. If opponents believe otherwise, they should identify where the initiative says that.
They can't—because it doesn't.
Its stated purposes are straightforward:
Maintain safe public beach access.
Reduce hazards.
Improve emergency access where needed.
Manage invasive species where appropriate.
Maintain a healthy oceanfront ecosystem.
Nothing in our initiative weakens or changes the City's existing policies prohibiting grading for private views.
In fact, our initiative accepts the City's existing policy framework. It simply asks the City to actively manage the foredunes for public access and public safety.
Claim #4: There are no safety issues.
That is an opinion—not a fact.
Our initiative does not claim that every dune is unsafe.
It simply requires the City to identify hazards and impediments to safe public access, report those findings publicly, and develop a plan where appropriate to address them.
That is exactly what responsible government should do.
Steep foredunes can create fall hazards. They can make beach access more difficult for families with children, seniors, and people with mobility limitations. They can also complicate emergency response.
Earlier this year, a Cannon Beach fire truck was lost while attempting to reach the north end of the beach after crossing Ecola creek. Reasonable people may disagree about every detail of that incident. They cannot reasonably disagree that emergency access matters.
Good public policy is about identifying and reducing foreseeable hazards before someone is seriously injured—not waiting until afterward.
Claim #5: This initiative creates an unfunded mandate.
That's true.
We have never suggested otherwise.
The real question isn't whether the initiative costs money.
The real question is whether maintaining safe public access to Cannon Beach is an appropriate public investment.
We believe it is.
Our town is called Cannon Beach.
The beach itself is, inarguably, our greatest public asset.
Every year the City spends taxpayer dollars maintaining streets, parks, trails, public buildings, public restrooms, and countless other community assets because they serve residents and visitors alike.
Why would we hesitate to invest in maintaining safe, accessible public beaches?
As someone who serves on the City's Budget Committee (speaking only for myself), I know the City is in an exceptionally strong financial position. Based on the publicly adopted budget, the City currently has more than $15 million in unallocated excess reserves for a town of 1,250 voters.
We're not suggesting the City spend money carelessly.
We're suggesting the City invest in the public asset that defines our community—our spectacular beach.
If maintaining public access and public safety at Cannon Beach isn't an appropriate use of public funds, We'd genuinely like to know what is?
Let's Debate the Initiative—Not Motives
One thing I've noticed throughout this discussion is that many of the criticisms focus on why supporters supposedly brought this initiative instead of what the initiative actually says.
I would encourage everyone to judge the measure on its language—not on speculation about anyone's motives.
Please don't take ORCA's word for it; Please don't take our word for it either.
Read the initiative yourself. It's only three pages long, Then decide for yourself.
If you support it, wonderful.
If you oppose it, that's certainly your right.
But let's have that discussion based on what the initiative actually says—not on false claims, rhetoric or speculation about motives.
Questions? Tommy or I would be happy to answer them publicly. We believe an informed community makes better decisions, and we trust the voters of Cannon Beach to do exactly that.
Tommy and I are deeply grateful for the support this effort has received.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed financially, offered encouragement, signed the petition, or volunteered to help.
Citizen initiatives are one of the purest forms of local democracy. They allow ordinary citizens—not politicians, not special interests, and not outside organizations—to bring important community issues directly to the voters. We are excited to take this next step together.
If you can help collect signatures, please email us at [email protected].
If you would like to sign the petition, send us an email and we'll make sure you have that opportunity.
If you would like to support the effort financially, donations may be mailed to:
Cannon Beach Sustainable Dunes Coalition
PO Box 429
Cannon Beach, OR 97110
Thank you for your support.
Tim Ramey & Tommy Thayer
