Contact Us

The state process

Proposed Sites for Marine Reserves

Ecologically important areas in Oregon (PDF)

Regional/Federal process

Science background

The State Process

The proposal process

• In 2000, Governor Kitzhaber requested that the Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) make a recommendation on Marine Reserves. OPAC conducted coastal outreach until 2002.
  
  
• In 2002, in the interest of protecting and restoring Oregon's rich ocean resources, OPAC recommended that the state create of a system of marine reserves in Oregon's Territorial Sea (0-3 nautical miles from shore).
  
  
• In 2005, Governor Kulongoski directed OPAC to resume the work started in 2000.
  
  
• Governor Kulongoski instructed OPAC in an executive order dated March 26, 2008, to recommend no more than nine sites for consideration as marine reserves that are large enough for scientific evaluation of ecological benefits but small enough to avoid significant economic or social impacts.

Helpful links
http://www.oregonmarinereserves.net
http://www.lcd.state.or.us/LCD/OPAC/index.shtml

The budget

• Governor Kulongoski has included $1.8 million dollars for marine protected areas and reserves in his recommended budget, which is currently under review by the Oregon Legislature.

The legislative process: designation and implementation

• The Legislature is reviewing the Governor's Recommended Budget and proposed marine reserve sites. After careful evaluation, they will make recommendations for policy and funding.
  
  
• After the legislative recommendation, the proposed marine reserve sites will be put through a detailed evaluation, including OPAC's fine review criteria. Based on the outcome of this evaluation, certain sites will be chosen for further study,  for designation and final implementation. 
  
  
• It is still unclear how soon marine reserve sites will be designated and implemented.