ELR Citation: ELR 20290
No(s). 28831 (Or. Cir. Ct. Feb 23, 1973)

No recreational easement exists in favor of the general public on a privately owned sand dune above the vegetation line, and defendants can continue development and construction of a condominium housing project on the site. Plaintiff failed to prove the clear and positive existence of such a prescriptive easement by a preponderance of the evidence. There may be an easement for access across the site to the public beach, but the defendants have adequately provided for such access in the design of the project.

For other Oregon decisions concerning dry sand areas below the vegetation line, see 2 ELR 20381 and 2 ELR 20383.

Counsel for Plaintiff
Philip J. Engelgau, Assistant Attorney General
Louis S. Bonney, Assistant Attorney General
100 State Office Building
Salem, OR 97310

Counsel for Defendants
George L. Kirklin
McColloch, Dezendorf, Spears & Lubersky
800 Pacific Building
Portland, OR 97204

C.E. Wheelock
Wheelock, Richardson, Niehaus, Bainey & Murphy
505 Franklin Building
Portland, OR 97204

Lawrence M. Dean
McDonald, Dean, McCallister & Snow
801 Commercial Street
Astoria, OR 97103

Counsel for Amicus Curiae Western Environmental Trade Association
Henry A. Buehner
1618 SW First Avenue
Portland, OR 97201