Oregon State University has developed a video to help coastal residents understand the impact of coastal storms and other natural processes on private property.

The program was designed to provide an objective overview of those challenges and offer suggestions on dealing with them for individuals planning to build or buy property.

”Living on the Edge: Building and Buying Property on the Oregon Coast“ is intended for developers, Realtors, lenders and coastal officials, as well as builders, buyers, and homeowners. The DVD was co-produced by Oregon Sea Grant at OSU and the Oregon Coastal Management Program of the Department of Land Conservation and Development.

”Coastal communities are experiencing a surge of growth and renewal, accompanied by an influx of new residents who are attracted by the region's natural beauty and recreational opportunities,“ Paul Klarin of the Oregon Coastal Management Program said in a press release.

The 25-minute video and four additional short features provide essential information about the chronic effects of wave, wind and rain on coastal beaches and bluffs. While extreme events like earthquakes and tsunamis are not the focus of the DVD, the impact of these catastrophic events as well as the predicted rise in global sea levels also are highlighted. Vivid footage reveals the challenges and issues of shoreline development, while knowledgeable Oregon scientists, engineers, planners and Realtors offer insights and recommendations to address these challenges successfully.

”The overall message we want to convey is to be diligent and informed about the unique risks that need to be considered when developing along the ocean shore,“ Klarin siad.

The DVD is available for $9.95 from Sea Grant Communications, OSU, 322 Kerr Administration, Corvallis, OR 97331. Include $2 shipping and handling for the first DVD and $1 each for additional copies.