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How to get a new launch site opened?

 
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ascott72



Joined: 12 Jun 2006
Posts: 124

PostPosted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 11:01 pm    Post subject: How to get a new launch site opened? Reply with quote

While reading the forum on windsurfing with kiters, DUCKS007 made some comments about opening new launch sites to alleviate some of the congestion and ISOBARS replied about how difficult it is.

http://forums.iwindsurf.com/viewtopic.php?t=12519&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15 (p.2)

So, let me throw this out there: what can we do to get a few more sites open? where would good locations be?
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River-Lizard



Joined: 18 Feb 2008
Posts: 188

PostPosted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 10:49 am    Post subject: Re: How to get a new launch site opened? Reply with quote

ascott72 wrote:
what can we do to get a few more sites open? where would good locations be?


I don't think its lack of launch sites that causes the problem. Its the fixation people have with certain sites. I know a number of people who I don't sail with anymore because they simply will not go any where else other than the Event Site. The crowding that people speak of happens at a few places, on peak days. There are quite a number of sites that don't get used very much at all. Home Valley & Bingen for example. There is a new waterfront park going in just west of the Event Site, with a windsurf launch, but it is not a "windsurf" park. Parking and space will be limited, but it will probably take some of the pressure off the Event Site launch.

But in a nut shell, crowded sites in the Gorge are so because they are popular, not because there is no where else to sail.
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gorgekite



Joined: 26 Apr 2002
Posts: 52

PostPosted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 5:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The event site/sandbar is a zoo because of the mix of people. Lots of beginers, bad windsurfers, windsurfing racers, show off kiters, kids, dogs, people geting lessons. If you go their you just have to expect everyone to be trying to kill you. If you don't like this get up to wells in a few reaches or launch somewhere else. I only go their off season or early mornings.
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westender



Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 1288
Location: Portland / Gorge

PostPosted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 10:02 pm    Post subject: Map Places Reply with quote

You want a bathroom or green grass or a crowd of people? There's tons of places to launch that aren't on any map. Just enough room for you and few friends but not for bathrooms or a parking lot.

P.S. (One from the Map) At one time they re-did the tracks and you couldn't get across to Mercury cove?? Anyone know if they made it so you can get there from here???
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ascott72



Joined: 12 Jun 2006
Posts: 124

PostPosted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 12:52 pm    Post subject: The original comments Reply with quote

isobars wrote:
ducks007 wrote:
The problem is access.
Some one needs to step up and open more sites and keep existing ones open. Work with the railroad. With with ODOT.

Buy the land through a HR shop coalition AND/OR windsurfing/kite group fees. Build the tunnels by partnering with the railroad.

New Site number #1) (windsurfing)
The "narrows"
-Buy land on Highway
-Build tunnel under railroad.
-build launch by river

Overcrowding will just get worse until the real issue(ACCESS) is solved.



RR? ODOT? Why not just ask Ahmadinejad nicely to give up nuclear weapons development? Even the powerful U.S. Army Corps of Engineers admits the RR's cannot be worked with. They own both shores of the Columbia and will cooperate with virtually no one and no agency. One of the few, rare exceptions is the CGWA, which occasionally achieves some limited cooperation from the RRs. You are a dues-paying member just for that purpose, right?

"Dig a tunnel"? "Build a launch"? Ducky, the Gorge Commission won't even let homeowners visible from the river trim their own trees for a better river view or paint their homes the wrong shade of earthtone, let alone turn over a shoreline rock. Launches, especially those at the Columbia's finest swell, are being shut down, not increased. The government, which kowtows to the RRs due to early-20th-century bribery and to overzealous environmentalism because it's politically correct, is the problem, and buying shoreline property is not a solution. When the "City" of Arlington wanted to improve access by modifying the shoreline of the artificial island they built, several federal agencies said, "Not only no, but hell, no; disturbing any shoreline sand or pebbles kills the fish". Thus all they could do was build a great beach that, unfortunately, ends a few feet short of the slimy riprap mortals can't negotiate. The owners of those very expensive homes ON the Columbia near Plymouth further east are expressly forbidden by the Corps to step from their mowed grass onto the Columbia shoreline a few feet away because it might disturb the ecology of the Columbia. (I can't comprehend why half the country wants even more intrusive and overbearing government.)

Folks who don't comprehend these issues because they're not involved with and fighting them should get involved, learn the real problems, and work together towards real solutions for kiters, WSers, fishermen, boaters, pebblekickers, and toe-dippers alike.

And putting a Disneyland with 242 condos directly across the street from the Hatchery is a PROBLEM, not a solution.

\m/


Who knew it was that difficult? Well, I am thankful for the the people, organizations, and govt. entities that have helped secure the current launches.


Last edited by ascott72 on Sat Jun 07, 2008 1:45 pm; edited 1 time in total
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surfersteve



Joined: 24 Apr 2007
Posts: 203

PostPosted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 1:06 pm    Post subject: launch sites Reply with quote

Great topic.  Nearly everyone I know or sail with has their own favorites. Just like at Meadows on weekends, rarely do sane locals frequent the mountain. It just isn't worth it. It seems the best thing to do in high-season is become good at sailing up and downwind to launch off Luhr-Jenson, then going upwind for example.
As the Eagles said 30 years ago in "The Last Resort" - find a great place, enjoy it, tell a few friends, then they tell a few friends. You see where this is going...
Bottom line. Unless you have SDS-type money and lawyers, forget about changing the rules (see 242-unit condo complex in National Scenic Area).
In the meantime, let's just pray for some warm weather, STEADY winds which last more than an hour, and less development.
Good Winds to all.
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westender



Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 1288
Location: Portland / Gorge

PostPosted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 11:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Another weekend with no over crowding.

It can get crowded at some places if you can't sail up or down wind.

You must be talking about the lack of parking in 2 or 3 places.
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bobgatpdx1



Joined: 13 Oct 2002
Posts: 385

PostPosted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 12:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Talk to Katie Crafts @ CGWA - access for windsurfing is one of their main priorities. I've heard some talk about developing a park at Wyeth. This is near Home Valley on the OR side. There is already a freeway ramp there which is a good start.
bobg
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