BackgroundOn June 25, 2014, the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission voted to offer to purchase the Beltz property in Tillamook County from the nonprofit that owns it.
Located on the north coast between Cape Lookout State Park and Pacific City, Sand Lake is one of Oregon’s least developed estuaries, including approximately 1,250 acres of open water, tidal flat, emergent marsh, and forested wetlands. A dominant feature within the estuary is Whalen Island, primarily owned and managed by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department as the Clay Myers State Natural Area. At the north end of the estuary is the Sand Lake Nature Preserve, property being acquired by North Coast Land Conservancy in partnership with the department. At the southern end of the estuary is a 357 acre piece of land known as the Beltz property.
Beltz contains ocean beaches, wetlands,
and forests. The
property was acquired from a private owner by the nonprofit Ecotrust for $1.8 million in May 2014, and the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission has
authorized the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to purchase it from Ecotrust for up to $1.8 million using Oregon Lottery funds dedicated to
state park acquisitions by the Oregon Legislative Assembly.
Because of its beauty, natural features, and location, the property has been of interest to the state park system for decades. The property will be kept in a natural state, focusing on trail recreation and natural resource improvement projects. It isn't open yet; we need to figure out parking and trail use so the area can serve visitors and protect the resource while being a good neighbor to the nearby Tierra del Mar community.
Next steps- Wait for final appraisal to set value.
- Negotiate purchase price with Ecotrust, not to exceed $1.8 million.
- Ideally close deal by end of August.
- Work with county and community to figure out how to open park for trail recreation.
DocumentsBackground on public interest in the Beltz propertyA map of state parks in the areaA map of Beltz and the Sand Lake estuaryApril 2014 commission meeting materialsJune 2014 commission meeting materialsProperty background files and photos from local resident Lynda SteinerPublic meeting presentation from June 2014Public comments from the June 16 and 21, 2014 meetings in Pacific City and Tierra del MarPublic comments by email through June 23Comment?Send us an email.