In 1967, the Oregon Beach Bill (HB1601) was being debated in both the state legislature and the media. The bill ensured public access to all Oregon beaches, regardless of private property lines. One of the main stumbling blocks for passage was the disagreement over how much of the beach should be protected from development. Gov. McCall depended on the advice of experts to come up with a precise measurement to determine the line between private and public property. The measurement—sixteen feet above sea level—was based on the desire to leave wet sand free of private structures or infringement. For the final bill, the measurement was made contingent on other landscape features, such as dunes and vegetation lines.
These news clips from KOIN news follow the story throughout May 1967. KOIN’s political commentator, Bob Bruce, was a voice of skepticism against McCall’s beach plan. He begins with an editorial on the misplaced priorities of the governor and legislature. The rest of the footage is outlined below.
2:47 Secretary of State (and beach bill supporter) Robert Straub offers comments on the dry sand area. Note: the audio cuts in and out in order to accommodate the reporters talking over the footage during the broadcast.
4:31 Bob Bruce editorial.
6:36 Commissioner Mel Gordon, Rep. Lee Johnson, and Robert Straub present testimony at a Beach Bill hearing in Salem on May 11, 1967.
11:00 Rep. Paul Hanneman, member of House Highway Commission and an opponent of HB1601, argues against the dry sand measurement.
11:51 Bob Bruce comments on the amendments for HB1601, May 16.
13:49 Interview with Lawrence Bitte, a student from the University of Oregon and head of a citizens’ committee for public beaches.
17:17 Bob Bruce comments on the House Highway Committee regarding building fences on beaches.
22:03 House Highway Commission tables the public beach bill; Rep. P Hanneman is interviewed.
22:41 Gov. Tom McCall gives a speech on the Beach Bill and its importance to Oregon.
