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Land trust urges Nehalem to protect drinking-water source areas; cites grants and management options
Summary
A North Coast Land Conservancy official told the Nehalem City Council that the city owns about 90% of its drinking-water source area and urged measures such as avoiding clearcuts, expanding riparian buffers and pursuing DEQ planning and implementation grants.
Mark McLaughlin, Conservation Director at North Coast Land Conservancy (NCLC), told the Nehalem City Council on Oct. 14 that sustainable forest management in drinking-water source areas can directly affect water quality and quantity. McLaughlin said NCLC has helped protect about 15,000 acres regionally and that Nehalem owns roughly 90% of its drinking-water source area, a position that gives the city an opportunity to proactively manage forests for long-term water protection.
McLaughlin recommended several approaches to protect water resources: avoiding clearcuts in sensitive source-water areas, expanding riparian buffers beyond minimum legal requirements, promoting species and age diversity, reducing or eliminating chemical use, and prioritizing ecological thinning while leaving nurse logs to improve soil moisture retention and slope stability. He cited a DEQ Source Water Assessment (July 2025) that highlighted steep slopes in the Bob's Creek watershed and described two DEQ grant programs: a Drinking Water Source Protection Planning Grant (up to $70,000) and a Source Protection Implementation Grant (up to $50,000).
McLaughlin offered NCLC’s assistance connecting Nehalem with foresters experienced in water-focused forest management, helping with grant applications and contributing technical expertise. Mayor Phil Chick and Council members asked about typical staffing and consultant arrangements; McLaughlin said small cities often do not have an in-house forester and may hire outside specialists or partner with organizations like NCLC. Council member Jessi Clark voiced support for NCLC’s capacity and past work.
The presentation flagged potential steps the city could take to develop a voluntary Source Water Protection Plan to guide conservation, stewardship and possible funding applications.
