Politics of Sand

Synopsis

This in-depth history of Oregon's beaches focuses on the political ebb and flow of efforts to keep the coast accessible to the public. The fight, which began with Governor Oswald West's 1913 landmark legislation, has thankfully been effective, though not without substantial effort. Featuring interviews with many of the living key players as well as voices from the past.

In the 60’s this issue came to a head when a Cannon Beach hotel owner decided to block of certain areas of the beach. The confusion was over the high-tide line, vegetation line, and the sandy shores. Governor Tom McCall flew, by helicopter, to Cannon Beach. Another part of the Oregon Coast line was also being threatened by development, so in 1967 McCall pushed the Beach Bill.

"The battle to preserve Oregon’s beaches for public use heated up and citizens all over the state became passionately involved in the conflict. There were personal threats, smoke filled rooms, phone taps, job threats and plenty of political jockeying. Tom Olsen, Jr. has created a remarkable documentary of the historic political events leading up to and culminating in House bill 1601. He weaves a fascinating and well balanced story of the conflict and its resolution in 1967."

—Dr. Bob Bacon, President of Citizens To Save Oregon Beaches

Politics of Sand
Politics of Sand

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