Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregonians who share bits of their sandwiches with the gulls along the Oregon coast would be rule breakers under ideas the state Department of Parks and Recreation is considering.

New rules would prohibit feeding wildlife to protect animals from food that's bad for them or makes them dependent and from hazards such as getting hit in parking lots.

The Daily Astorian reports the idea is among several the department has held hearings about. The commission overseeing the agency is expected to consider the rules in April.

The paper says other provisions would allow a park manager or a peace officer to exclude people who break the rules, prohibit glass products on the beach, and prohibit drivers from harming the beach environment or creating a hazard to humans or wildlife.