Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge - Oregon State Park

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Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge

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Nature of the Area
The rocks provide habitat for Oregons largest breeding colony of tufted puffins. These flamboyant birds with their large bright orange beaks and long yellow head tufts are one of the most recognizable seabirds on the Oregon coast.

The refuge also supports the largest breeding colony of common murre south of Alaska and is the only pupping site on the north Oregon coast for the federally threatened Steller sea lion. Measuring 10 in length and weighing up to 2,000 pounds, the Steller sea lion is the larger of the two sea lions found on the Oregon coast.

History of the Area
Three Arch Rocks was established as a National Wildlife Refuge largely due to the efforts of two young men. Conservationists William 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 Bohlmans 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.

More Info

Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex
the first National Wildlife Refuge west of the Mississippi River, Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge lies ? mile offshore of the community of
...gon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex
spectacular panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge and Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge can easily be
...ee Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge Next in Alpha ListTillamook CountyPacific Ocean Ecoregion Location On the northern Oregon coast about 2 miles south of Cape Meares and 1 mile west
...gons Shortest Lighthouse (open April through October) First order Fresnel lens, Interpretive
the annual whale migration, the Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge, nature trails and

National Wildlife Refuge -- OR Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge -- OR Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge -- OR Portland, Oregon Sheldon/Hart Mountain Complex -- Lakeview, OR Sheldon
...thern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Bird Checklists of the United States Master Table of Contents United States and Canada U.S. Canada Great Plains States Colorado -- Iowa -- Kansas -- Minnesota
...Ocean House is a daily and weekly vacation rental house on the Tillamook Bay in Oregon offering
sea lions and birds at Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge. Play in the sand dunes

is popular in this small community built on the sides of hills. Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge has the largest concentration of tufted puffins on the coast. Whiskey Creek Fish Hatchery
...inistrative Rules for Boaters Please Note These pages are maintained by the Oregon State Archives. You may link directly to their page and find duplicate links, except for Chapter 21Personal

on Certain Waters in Tillamook County 250-020-0309 Boat Operations at Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge, Pacific Ocean, Tillamook County 250-020-0310 Boat Operations on Certain Waters in