Oregon Marine Reserves

The Oregon State Legislature voted to support HB 3013 (unanimously in the House, 3 nays in the Senate), which puts into practice the recommendations of the Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC). These recommendations were to implement two marine reserve projects this year, one at Redfish Rocks in Port Orford and one at Otter Rock near Depoe Bay, as well as the further evaluation and collection of baseline biological, social, and economic information over the next 18 months for sites proposed off Cape Falcon, Cascade Head, Cape Perpetua and to support a proposal from the Coos County area. The bill also directs communities adjacent to the proposal areas to form teams composed of diverse and balanced stakeholders for the on-going collaborative efforts surrounding rule making, research, monitoring, and marine reserve implementation. Funding for this bill over the next two years is provided in part through funds left over from the salvage of the New Carissa, as well as the ability to secure outside funding through either grants or private donations.