Access to N. Beach to remain restricted

The Crescent City Harbor Commission voted to allow sand mining on North Beach Tuesday night.

Due to complaints about people four-wheeling on the beach, the harbor district closed North Beach to vehicle traffic years ago, unless someone had a permit.

Until last night’s meeting, permits were only issued for collecting kelp, driftwood or for handicapped access; now sand mining has been added to the list.

The beach, which lies between the harbor’s inner boat basin and Shoreline R.V. Park, is a small strip of sand that is only accessible by a locked gate, which became the only point of contention in last night’s meeting.

“This looks OK to me except I think we need a discussion about leaving the gate open during the daytime,” said Harbor Commission Chairman Jack Reese.

“Originally the city asked to have this beach closed for a variety of problems,” said assistant planner Eric Taylor. “Opening it back up without any control will just take things back to the way they used to be.”

Taylor mentioned illegal dumping, homeless camps and the fact that the beach connects to city property as reasons to keep access restricted.

Commissioner James Ramsey agreed with Taylor that opening the beach could be inviting trouble.

“It’s just an open invitation,” Ramsey said. “Whether they choose to use it or not, it’s an invitation to come down there and use their off road vehicles.”

In the end the Harbor Commission chose to allow sand mining, but retained the right to restrict access.

“We’re caretakers of a public trust,” said Commissioner Scott Feller. “We should allow as many uses as possible but with certain restrictions.”

The way the ordinance is written, last night’s vote allows sand mining, but exactly how access will be granted will be determined in the future.