​With the Kincade fire now at 68% containment and almost all of the evacuation orders lifted, the fire evacuees that sheltered here have all gone home, the air has cleared, the roads are open, and (wow!) Dillon Beach even got electricity restored. Huge thanks to all the first responders that saved so many homes, businesses and lives. Now we're ready for Dungeness crab season to open tomorrow.

   Evacuation orders have been issued for Healdsburg, Windsor, and Geyserville. For those of you who have RV’s, Tents, or a vehicle to sleep in we have campsites available for no charge for those affected by mandatory evacuated towns. Campsites are available for short term use, and have emergency volunteers available onsite from local Dillon Beach Residents. Please help spread the word and call us at 707-878-2443 for more details. www.getreadydb.com 
   A map of the current evacuation zone can be found here: ​https://www.pressdemocrat.com/multimedia/10220757-181/map-kincade-fire-boundary-evacuation

     The pier's pilings are failing and the only way to replace or repair them is to bring the entire pier up to current code standards.  Plastic-wrapped, pressure treated pilings with cross bracing and higher rails are just a few of the requirements.  This means replacing the pier entirely. Replacement requires a new permit and an engineered plan.  Our Coastal and Housing and Community Development permits require us to build a wastewater system and restrooms/showers. To complicate things further, we have been informed by Marin County that they will not be approving any permits for us until we have our Coastal Permit requirements completed. With some luck, the Coastal Commission will a approve the wastewater system permit this year with construction to begin soon thereafter. We can't pay for a wastewater system and a new pier (We're honestly a bit concerned about just the wastewater system).  Unfortunately the pier will have to wait. No, we're not happy about this, either.       
      There are grants available for public piers and we will be applying for them.  We don't know how long it will take, but it is our hope that having a public agency involved will change the (for the better) how Marin County may feel about issuing a permit.

The pier at Lawson's Landing will be closed on Monday, October 22, 2018, for maintenance.  

CDPH Lifts Warning about Certain Shellfish from Marin and Ventura Counties

June 4, 2018 ​

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) lifted health advisories today related to sport-harvested bivalve shellfish in Marin and Ventura counties. The advisories are being lifted for whole scallops and all clams. The advisories were issued due to dangerous levels of naturally occurring paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins that can cause illness or death. Recent testing shows PSP toxins have decreased to safe or undetectable levels.
 
The CDPH warnings against eating sport-harvested clams or whole scallops in the counties of Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and Sonoma due to dangerous levels of PSP, and sport-harvested razor clams from Del Norte and Humboldt countiesdue to dangerous levels of domoic acid, remain in effect. The statewide annual quarantine on sport-harvested mussels also remains in effect.
 
These warnings do not apply to commercially sold clams, mussels, scallops or oysters from approved sources. State law permits only state-certified commercial shellfish harvesters or dealers to sell these products. Shellfish sold by certified harvesters and dealers are subject to frequent mandatory testing to monitor for toxins.
 
PSP toxins affect the central nervous system, producing a tingling around the mouth and fingertips within a few minutes to a few hours after eating toxic shellfish. These symptoms are typically followed by loss of balance, lack of muscular coordination, slurred speech and difficulty swallowing. In severe poisonings, complete muscular paralysis and death from asphyxiation can occur.

You can get the most current information on shellfish advisories and quarantines by calling CDPH's toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133. For additional information, please visit the CDPH Marine Biotoxin Monitoring web page or the CDPH Annual Mussel Quarantine - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) web page.

   The California Department of Public Health has issued a warning to not eat sport-caught bivalves from Marin and Sonoma Counties.  This includes clams, cockles and mussels. High levels of PSP (Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning) have been found in mussels and clams from Tomales Bay. The clam sample had over 8 times the warning level of PSP toxin. Earlier this week an individual that ate mussels was hospitalized with PSP symptoms.  Testing of the clams and mussels will continue. Crabs and fish are not affected.

   While the North Bay Fires have impacted our air quality and rained ashes on the beach, we are luckily positioned far from the fires.  Our air is expected to clear by tomorrow and we expect normal conditions for the weekend. If you're in a position where you might want to head out to the coast, we're here for you.