Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge - Oregon
Posted by: 
Bandmaster
N 45° 27.840 W 123° 59.275
10T E 422768 N 5034971
3 Arch Rocks NWR can best be viewed from the mainland at Cape Meares and in the town of Oceanside.The refuge is closed to public entry year-round and waters within 500 feet of the refuge are closed to all watercraft from May 1st through September 15.
Waymark Code: WM23KK
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 08/29/2007
Views: 49
The reason for the Three Arch Rocks being closed to public entry year-round and the reason waters within 500 feet of the refuge are closed is to prevent disturbance to extremely sensitive seabirds. Both Cape Meares and Oceanside are located on the Three Capes Scenic Route west of Tillamook. When approaching Tillamook on US Highway 101, follow signs for the Three Capes Scenic Route.
Three Arch Rocks was established as a National Wildlife Refuge largely due to the efforts of two young men. Conservationists William L. Finley and Herman Bohlman began photographing the wildlife at Three Arch Rocks from the town of Oceanside in 1901. Several times a week they witnessed hunters row to the rocks to kill scores of sea lions for their skins and oil. Even more disturbing, were the sportsmen that came to the rocks each Sunday for target practice. On these days, thousands of seabirds were exterminated, not for their meat or feathers, but purely for sport. Egg harvesting was also taking its toll on seabird populations. Due to the lack of chicken farms in California at this time, seabird eggs were very valuable and sold for as much as a dollar per dozen.
After studying and photographing the wildlife on the rocks for several years, they brought their findings to President Theodore Roosevelt. They explained the value of the rocks as habitat for wildlife and emphasized the need to protect dwindling populations from hunters and sportsmen. They stressed that a wildlife sanctuary would ensure the survival of seabird and marine mammal populations.
In 1907, Finley and Bohlman's efforts were rewarded when President Roosevelt declared Three Arch Rocks a National Wildlife Refuge. Today, it protects over a quarter million nesting seabirds and is a favorite haulout site for marine mammals. It is the oldest National Wildlife Refuge west of the Mississippi River.
A closeup view can be experience in the town of Oceanside at the following coordinates: N45 27.377 W123 58.028
However, the most spectacular view and best photographed is from Cape Meares State Park at the folloing GPS coordinates: N45 29.192 W123 58.699 The reason it is so spectacular is because from this angle you are looking down from a greater height and can see the open arches in the rocks.
On foggy days, a massive silhouette encircled by ocean transports your imagination to times past. If you were close to the refuge in spring the raucous calls of more than 220,000 nesting common murre would fill your ears. Designated as the first National Wildlife Refuge west of the Mississippi River, Three Arch Rocks Refuge lies ½ mile offshore of the community of Oceanside. One of the Oregon coast's best-known landmarks, the refuge consists of three large and six smaller rocks totaling 15 acres. The refuge is one of the smallest designated Wilderness Areas in the country.
NWR or Protected Planet Website: [Web Link]
Point of Interest (POI): Visitor Information
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