Dear Editor, Letter to Caller/Times, Nov. 26, 2005

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Beach Parking Lots, Bad Idea!
Dear Editor,
The argument rages on, will we keep the beaches and beach access as it is or change it drastically, banning vehicles from driving on the beach?
The op-ed piece by Charles E. Porter (Fri., Nov. 25,) calls for the total ban of beach traffic. His claim is this traffic is causing environmental damage to the beaches.
His solution? Build parking lots and let folks walk to the beach.
That is no realistic option. First of all, building parking lots in or near the dune areas, with adjoining pathways cut through the dunes to the beach would be a tremendous ecological disaster.
Studies have been done, by the state GLO in conjunction with the Federal Department of the Interior and other entities, that show a clear link and a cycle that connects the sand bars, the beach and the dunes. The gist of the GLO/Interior Dept. study shows that where dune destruction occurs beaches and sand bars become depleted also. Any kind of construction on the beach or in the sand dunes has a negative effect on this cycle.
Especially destructive to beaches are sea walls and jetties. It's the sea wall itself that has caused that beach to erode so much. Parking lots are an even more horrendous idea.
It has been estimated that over 50,000 people have gathered in the J.P. Luby beach area during busy summer days when events take place there. How many cars are on area beaches in peak summer areas? How can we possibly build enough parking lots for all these cars? And at what environmental cost?
This is a terrible idea. Will we see armies of tourists carrying all their beach equipment, fishing gear, coolers, surfboards and other items in columns back and forth through the dunes? What about handicapped persons that can now enjoy the beach nearly anywhere they want?
Cars leave a small "tire print" on the beach that soon blows away in the sea breeze. Parking lots, sea walls and beach development are the real culprits in beach and environmental damage.
This issue is headed towards a vote. Sign the petitions going around and then vote and make your voice heard. No City Council has a right to infringe on the status of our local beaches.
Sincerely,
Dicky Neely




More blogs about Surf and beach protection.

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I used to live across the street from the harbor in Santa Barbara. At the end of the breakwater, which forms the man-made harbor, there is a sandbar. It varies in size and shape depending on the season and ocean conditions but it makes an incredible wave when swells sweep along the breakwater and race down the length of the sandbar, curving with its shape. It sometimes starts of with a huge backwash at the take off point then races into the harbor as one of the fastest, most hollow waves anywhere!
In winter I would surf till dark, paddle across the harbor with the lights on the Santa Barbara Riviera and downtown sparkling in the crisp night air. I would walk the half a block to my apartment and then rinse off and change out of my wet suit in my hot shower! I didn't know how good I had it!

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Perfect Lines Wrap Into the Queen of the Coast! 

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Why Do People Come to Padre Island?

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Padre Island Is Still a Special Place. How Much Longer?

Padre Island and Mustang are still special places in spite of the pell mell rush to cover every inch with bigger and bigger and more garish developments.
The islands are under pressure from powerful political and monied interests. This coastline doesn't belong to them. It doesn't belong to those who share my viewpoint. It belongs to all the people! It is our duty to protect what is left of the barrier island's natural beauty, environment and, not to mention, the protection it affords us from a sometimes stormy gulf of Mexico!
The above cartoon is one of a series that was published when the Packery Channel issue was still being contested. A lot of folks seemed then and still do seem a bit confused as to why they wanted to live on Padre Island!