The Brookings City Council on Oct. 13 authorized the city manager to draft a letter supporting the Reedsport Flood Reduction Resiliency Project and to contact Gold Beach, Port Orford and Curry County about submitting a joint or coordinated letter to state and federal reviewers.

Councilor Paredes asked the council to consider submitting public comment because Reedsport’s permit application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and state agencies could affect Highway 101 and regional emergency access. The Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development has opened a public comment period under the Federal Coastal Zone Management Act review process that runs through Oct. 26.

“Highway 101 is a vital artery for us, period,” Mayor Isaac Hodges said during the discussion. Hodges and other council members described scenarios in which slide damage or road loss could isolate coastal communities and disrupt fuel, food and medical supply chains.

Council members discussed two options: (1) submit a Brookings-only letter of support, or (2) coordinate a joint letter that would include neighboring cities and the county. Because the DLCD comment deadline is Oct. 26, councilors said time was short to organize a multijurisdictional packet but supported at least a Brookings comment.

A motion to appoint the Brookings city manager to prepare a letter of support and to reach out to Gold Beach, Port Orford and Curry County for a combined or coordinated set of letters passed on a recorded voice vote; the council stated the motion carries.

The council did not specify the exact language of the letter in the meeting; staff were directed to draft language and to pursue coordination with the named jurisdictions. No additional funding or formal intergovernmental agreement was created in the action.

Why it matters: Council members said maintaining Highway 101 is essential for evacuation, emergency response and supply continuity for Brookings and other small coastal towns that rely on the single coastal highway.

Next steps: City staff will prepare the draft letter for submission before the DLCD comment deadline and attempt outreach to the county, Port Orford and Gold Beach to assemble a joint packet or accompanying letters.