Editing Winchester Bay, Oregon (section)

==Economy==

The local Winchester Bay Merchant Association promotes economic development in the community.<ref>[http://www.winchesterbay.org/ Home Page<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Tourism]] is a significant component of the economy with recreational vehicle use on the nearby sand dunes, tours of the [[Umpqua River Light]]house, and [[crabbing]] in the bay as the primary attractions. Winchester Bay, formerly referred to as Whistling Basin by the small [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] population, has seen a marked increase in tourism despite being a sparsely populated outpost. The merchant association has dubbed the community as the "Crab Capital of the World." The largest annual activity is the annual Dune Fest, usually a five-day event.<ref>[http://www.dunefest.com/home.html Dune Fest - Winchester Bay, Oregon<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In recent years, [[Siuslaw National Forest]] enforcement of alcohol consumption and under-age drinking was enacted to improve safety for participants.<ref>[http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw/projects/rec-plans-projects/alcoholban/index.shtml Siuslaw National Forest – Alcohol Ban for OHV Riding Areas<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://theworldlink.com/articles/2003/03/06/news/news04.txt The World Link: Feds to ban dunes drinking<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Medical care is available at Lower Umpqua Hospital in nearby [[Reedsport, Oregon|Reedsport]].<ref>[http://www.lowerumpquahospital.com/ Your Caring Neighbor in Coastal Douglas County – Lower Umpqua Hospital<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>