I don't know if we should give up any of our access to the beaches. Bill, your point is well taken. If we can't drive on these beaches, then we are giving up miles and miles of access to public land and the public beaches will become the private domains of ocean-front homeowners, except for the hearty and healthy few in the prime of their lives who care to trek. This effectively limits the old, the infirm, the very young and families with small children, all of whom will be effectively restricted to the several hundred yards on either side of the the accesses, if they can find a parking spot in the paved lot.

I totally agree with SciGuy. Washington is already blessed with the diversity we need. For those who want solitude, the northern beaches afford, I think, the longest continuous stretch of undeveloped white sand beaches in the whole country. You can walk for days on those beaches and not see another person. I don't believe the National Park allows driving on the beach. I am sure there are other sections of beach where vehicles are not allowed. And although the beaches directly adjacent to the current beach accesses are no doubt heavily traveled in good weather, by driving a little further you can separate yourself from constant, or even frequent traffic. So chose a location that fits what you are after in a beach experience. Its not difficult; in fact, it's easy.

Theking, thanks for the response. I completely agree with you that a scene without vehicles beats a parking lot every time. But this is not a new use in the history of the Washington beaches. So far as I know, vehicle travel on the beaches has been around all my life. No doubt it is more crowded now than ever. I completely respect your response and your point of view. I just do not see a way to spread out the clam diggers without allowing driving.

I have no sympathy for beachfront homeowners who do not like the fact that designated beaches are part of the state highway system. These beaches are just as much and as well-known a part of the highway system as any paved county road. I can't fathom a property owner who bought property on one of these beaches without knowing this fact. I've never encountered a public beach access where driving was allowed that didn't post this fact.

However, if I read the TNT article correctly, one of the legislators who is sponsoring this bill is quoted as saying he didn't even know that traffic was allowed on beaches in Washington. What business does a legislator have in sponsoring such a bill if he is so unfamiliar with the Washington coast? If he doesn't know that driving on the beach is a "time-honored tradition" in Washington State, what do you think he knows of any of the local economic issues for those beach communities that depend on the traffic? And what do you think he knows about all the unintended consequences to those already depressed communities that would result from the proposed legislation? I think he knows and cares nothing, beyond what one of his undoubtedly rich and influential constituents complained of - that is, being "upset" that he/she had his/her tranquility intruded upon while lounging on his/her seaside deck by a "time-honored," pre-existing and completely lawful use of public land.