Times Standard 11-6-00

Black Sands Beach road on board agenda

The Times-Standard

EUREKA -- County supervisors have scheduled a public hearing on Tuesday to consider legal abandonment of the former access road to Black Sands Beach at Shelter Cove.

Most of the portion of Beach Road to be legally abandoned no longer exists, having been eroded away by ocean waves and undercut by Telegraph Creek. The board's action would allow the Bureau of Land Management to construct a new parking lot, toilets and picnic tables in the area, with a ramp providing access to the beach to pedestrians, horses, handicapped people and emergency vehicles.

Controversy has surrounded the use of Black Sands Beach for several years, since the BLM moved to close it to use by off-road vehicles. The agency cited conflicts with other beach users, damage to resources and frequent trespassing by drivers on parts of the Lost Coast Trail where they are not permitted.

Recreational vehicle groups have filed a lawsuit, contending that they cannot be legally barred from driving on the beach.

A second board hearing on Tuesday will consider an ordinance updating fees and charges for special county services.

The county is required to charge the full cost of services beyond those provided routinely to all members of the public, such as inspections, laboratory tests and the issuance of permits. The largest sums involved are fees charged by the Building Inspection Division of the County Planning Department.

After discussions with builders' and contractors' representatives, supervisors last year agreed that the county would cover 15 percent of the division's operating costs out of general funds, because some services such as answering public inquiries are not directly connected to any specific project.

The fee ordinance was scheduled to be heard on Oct. 19, but was continued.

The hearings are scheduled for the afternoon session of the board, which starts at 1:30 p.m. The supervisors' weekly meeting is held in their chambers in the County Courthouse, on Fifth Street in Eureka.