Volunteers at the Sept. 29 Depoe Bay meeting said their stream stewardship project is currently at a standstill and that they plan to reconvene to develop a community-led plan.

Speakers raised concerns about nearby housing development southeast of the creek between Collins and Winchell streets and about recent tree clearing on Ainsley that could increase runoff into the creek system. A member noted the development on Mitchell Street is currently on hold pending home sales and said the group should engage the city planner and new city engineer when development proposals reach the permitting stage.

Participants said watershed studies exist for the upper reservoir and intake areas but that the group’s focus is on the downstream reach from the intake to the bay. They identified Daniel Ware (researcher) as a possible collaborator; members said Ware’s work focuses on upstream intake and reservoir issues and could provide useful data for stewardship planning where his scope overlaps.

The group also discussed beavers and their ecological role. One member clarified that beavers create important juvenile salmon habitat and do not eat salmon. Participants noted recent Oregon legislation this year that restricts the taking of beavers in designated imperiled habitats and said they believe their stream may still qualify under that policy. Members said they do not have authority to remove protected beavers and will need to factor state permitting and protections into any management actions.

Meeting participants asked whether certain bank or in-stream modifications require state permitting and acknowledged uncertainty about how far upstream permitting controls extend; they recommended confirming permitting limits with ODFW or the appropriate permitting authority before undertaking bank work.

The group agreed to meet again in about 30 days to re-engage on the stream stewardship project, potentially tapping community volunteers, local planners and researchers to seek grants and other resources for implementation.