Including non-consumptive recreational uses in Oregon's Territorial Sea Planning

As part of Oregon's Territorial Sea Plan update process, the Surfrider Foundation is partnering with Ecotrust, Natural Equity, and the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development on a Non-consumptive Recreational Use Study for Oregon. This study is intended provide high-quality spatially explicit information that is needed to inform marine spatial planning efforts and other relevant decision-making within Oregon's nearshore waters. This study will focus on non-consumptive recreational use along Oregon's coast and Territorial Sea (state waters; 3 nautical miles). Activities to be surveyed include: water sports (e.g. surfing, diving, kayaking) beach going, wildlife viewing, and boating (e.g. motoring, sailing). This project will begin in the coming weeks of February with multiple ways to participate through the end of the summer. Look for more information and ways to participate very soon. Your participation and input is appreciated.

OPAC Meeting in Bandon this Friday

The Oregon Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) will be having a meeting on Friday, January 29th starting at 9am at the Bandon Conference and Community Center, aka "The Barn" at 1200 11th street in Bandon. To view the agenda, click here. Topics of interest include: Territorial Sea Plan Amendment process, Nearshore Research Task Force, Marine Reserves, and the role of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee. The meeting is open to the public, and there will be time allotted on the agenda for public comment. Stick around after the meeting for a public reception hosted by the Port of Bandon, with fresh Oregon Dungeness Crab donated by the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission.

Reedsport Wave Energy Process

Surfrider continues to be involved in a settlement process with state and federal agencies, conservation groups, fishing groups, and Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) to agree on a precautionary approach to wave energy development off Reedsport. Negotiations have developed a draft settlement agreement that includes an adaptive management strategy. This strategy includes study plans that OPT will conduct to identify any adverse effects from the first and second phases of the wave energy project. The company hopes to install one buoy next summer and nine additional buoys the following year. Monitoring of ecological and socioeconomic effects will help determine potential for further build-out. Adaptive management ensures that parties reassess implementation of the project at each phase to avoid or minimize degradation to aquatic resources. Initial phases will include studies on aquatic species such as marine mammals, sharks, fish, plankton, and migratory birds. OPT will also study effects of wave energy buoys on recreation, public safety, crabbing, fishing, and cultural resources. Surfrider intends to remain engaged throughout the process to help ensure that adverse effects are addressed appropriately. For more info or to get involved contact please ggates@surfrider.org or pstauffer@surfrider.org.

Wear Blue for the Oceans Day: January 13, 2010

January 13, 2010 has been dubbed “Wear Blue for the Oceans Day” . The purpose is to demonstrate widespread support for the Obama Administration to establish a National Ocean Policy through issuing an Executive Order. This is a great opportunity to organize an event around or spread the word through your networks.
Last June, President Obama established an Ocean Policy Task Force to develop recommendations for a National Ocean Policy and Marine Spatial Planning (MSP). The Task Force process is nearing completion – see interim reports and comment opportunities on their website - and in early 2010, the Obama Administration will be considering its response to the Task Force recommendations.
This is a historic opportunity to help shape the future of ocean and coastal management. Please help spread the word!
"We have a stewardship responsibility to maintain healthy, resilient, and sustainable oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes resources for the benefit of this and future generations."
President Barack Obama, June 12, 2009

Offshore Oil Drilling Moratorium to Sunset for OR Territorial Sea

Did you know that the moratorium for offshore oil and gas drilling for Oregon's Territorial Sea (0-3NM) is set to expire on January 2nd, 2010? Although most people realize that our waters don't contain enough oil and gas to be feasibly extracted, the sunsetting of this moratorium is alarming to many ocean users and Oregonians who are concerned about the environmental impacts if oil drilling were to occur off our coastline. Fortunately a leader has emerged to address this issue as Representative Ben Cannon (chair of the House Environment and Water Committee) has announced that he intends to introduce legislation that would create a permanent ban on oil and gas leasing and drilling within Oregon's waters as his one priority bill for the upcoming special legislative session in February. "As far as Oregon is concerned, it's just a poor economic use of our ocean" Rep. Cannon says of oil drilling. To read some recent press on this issue, click here. To learn more about the impacts of offshore oil drilling, check out the NOT THE ANSWER blog.
Please help out by signing on to the letter of support here: oilandgas.jointletter.v3.doc send contact info to Gus Gates

PNW Toxic Algae and Surfers' Health Survey

The Washington Department of Health, in collaboration with NOAA and CDC, is conducting a retrospective survey of surfers that were exposed to an algal bloom along the Oregon and Washington coast line. Researchers are checking reports that surfers and kayakers who came in contact with the foam may have suffered cold-like symptoms, including temporary loss of smell and taste. The toxins also may have become aerosolized and affected beachcombers as well. Interested in possible health problems following exposure, they are hoping that you will help by filling out this survey or click on the picture at right.

Oregon Nearshore Research Task Force

The Oregon Nearshore Research Task Force was developed by the state legislature with the passage of House Bill 3106, at the end of the 2009 session. The purpose of the Task Force is to "make recommendations to ensure the protection and utilization of Oregon's nearshore resources." More specifically, the bill charges the Task Force to develop recommendations on a long-term funding and coordination strategy to meet the state's nearshore priorities and provides guidance on how the task force will implement the intent of the bill. Using key documents that outline nearshore priorities (Oregon Nearshore Marine Resource Management Strategy, West Coast Governors Agreement on Ocean Health, Oregon Territorial Sea Plan, and West Coast Regional Marine Research and Information Plan) HB 3106 identifies four objectives to guide development of the recommended strategy:

-Review, consolidate and anticipate nearshore priorities for supporting research, monitoring, management, policy, education, and outreach;

-Identify funding needs for current and anticipated nearshore programs;

-Identify funding process for transparent acceptances of public and private funds; and

-Identify mechanisms for data sharing among state agencies, institutions and other stakeholders.

Look for updates in the near future with a web site that is being created to serve as a clearinghouse of nearshore information. To learn more, and to find out how you can get involved, contact "nearshore recreation" representative Gus Gates at ggates@surfrider.org

A Strategy for Success

At Surfrider, we realize all of our projects, programs and campaigns come together with carefully thought out strategic plans. Being successful in our efforts relies on this type of planning and today, I had the pleasure of working with the youth volunteers at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in such a process. This year marks our third annual Newport Chapter of Surfrider Foundation/Aquarium Youth Volunteer winter water quality project. We spent the better part of 2 hours today mapping out the strategies and tactics surrounding the kids' project goals and objectives. Nothing satisfies me more than seeing these kids succeed and using the necessary planning tools to get themselves there. Self-motivated - check, plan in place - check, victory influencing city council - check back again this spring! And just what are these kids up to you might ask. Click here for a hint from a similar project in Port Orford.

Nationwide, Our Sewer Systems Are in Need of Upgrades

"Today, sewage systems are the nation's most frequent violators of the Clean Water Act. More than a third of all sewer systems -- including those in San Diego, Houston, Phoenix, San Antonio, Philadelphia, San Jose and San Francisco -- have violated environmental laws since 2006, according to a Times analysis of E.P.A. data." - excerpt from this New York Times. While we often highlight these issues in major cities, which are most competetive for funding infrastructure upgrades, it's our smaller coastal communities that often come last for priority funding and upgrades...remember our beaches, support sewer and stormwater solutions in your coastal communities.

Surfing on Oregon Field Guide This Week

This Thursday at 8:30 pm and Sunday at 6:30 pm, Oregon Field Guide will be taking a look into the window of the lives and waves of few surfers here in Oregon. I don't know much about this one as Surfrider wasn't involved, but definitely curious to see what the good folks at OPB and Oregon Field Guide uncovered. Quoting Michael Bendixen chief photographer on the story, "we want to bring the audience as close as they can get to the surfer’s experience. We'd like the audience to feel the first peak of a wave, popping up on the board, and working with the wave's energy as you complete the ride. The ocean landscape is one of unrelenting change and unpredictability. In short, it’s a challenge to film. But, by doing this production, we were able to meet a group of surfers who commit a lot to this sport and lifestyle. More Here or click on the video clip at right.

Oregon's Territorial Sea Plan Update Process

Oregon's Territorial Sea has been the focus of much attention recently. With numerous wave energy project proposals submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), many wondered how this emerging use was going to fit in with existing uses such as commercial and recreational fishing, as well as non-consumptive activities like surfing, kayaking, and kite boarding. In March of 2008, Governor Kulongoski signed an important Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with FERC that said Oregon would only allow wave energy projects to be built on a limited pilot project basis until we had revised our Territorial Sea Plan to include a new chapter for siting alternative energy projects within our nearshore. This policy framework of how we go about siting projects has been developed over the past year by OPAC's Territorial Sea Plan Working Group, as well as the Territorial Sea Plan Advisory Committee (of which Surfrider Foundation serves on as a rep of "Ocean Recreation"). Last week the Land Conservation and Development Commission adopted this new chapter, and set the stage for the next step in the on-going process which is to identify potential areas that might be suitable for siting alternative energy projects after important ecological, fishing and recreational areas have been mapped out. Check out the recent press in the Oregonian about the TSP process by clicking here. For an overview of how we have engaged on this issue, click on the link below for our 1 page document.

Oregon_TSP_1pager.doc

Sociocultural Study of Non-Consumptive Recreational Ocean Users within Oregon's Nearshore

Oregon State University is conducting research focusing on the "non- consumptive" ocean recreational users of Oregon - including divers, surfers, kite boarders, windsurfers, boaters/sailors, kayakers, and boat-based nature viewers. The project hopes to better understand these communities in learning about their needs, perspectives, composition, and contributions. Presently, there is a void in available information on these groups. The information gathered will be used to create a profile of these recreational communities to potentially serve as a foundation for informing policy decisions. This project seeks to ensure that the present void in information on these "non-consumptive" recreational ocean users is filled to facilitate their representation in future decision-making regarding Oregon's ocean. As a stakeholder of Oregon's ocean resources, your participation is highly valued. Participation in the study is voluntary, limited to individuals over the age of 18, and will involve the completion of a mail questionnaire.

To participate please contact Chris Eardley, an Oregon State University graduate student, at ceardley@coas.oregonstate.edu. Please mention which ocean recreational group(s) you belong to and provide your mailing address for receiving the questionnaire. All information gathered will be presented as a whole, in a summarized form. We will not seek any sensitive information, no identities will be made public, and mailing information will not be shared with third parties. Help us to serve you!

OPAC Meeting in Florence on 10/23

The Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) will be having a meeting this Friday from 9-4pm at the Florence Events Center. Topics of the meeting include an update on Marine Reserves, the West Coast Governor's Agreement on Ocean Health, and the Territorial Sea Plan Revision process. There will also be time for public comment. To view the draft agenda, click here. Stick around after the meeting for the 5th annual Heceta Head Coastal Conference, visit www.hecetaheadconference.org to register and learn more.

Oregon Marine Reserve Rulemaking Meetings

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will be holding public meetings in concert with the Division of State Lands and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department on their respective draft rules for establishing a marine reserve at Otter Rock, as well as a marine reserve and marine protected area at Redfish Rocks in Port Orford. The meetings will take place in Salem, Port Orford, and Otter Rock between October 20-22. For more information, and to view the draft rules, click here.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 1-3 PM
State Lands Building
Land Board Room
775 Summer Street N.E.
Salem, Oregon

Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 7-9 PM
Port Orford Public Library
1421 Oregon Street
Port Orford, Oregon

Thursday, October 22, 2009, 7-9 PM
The Inn at Otter Crest
301 Otter Crest Drive
Otter Rock, Oregon

5th Annual Heceta Head Coastal Conference

The 5th Annual Heceta Head Coastal Conference is coming up on October 23-24 in Florence. This annual event is intended to inform and educate the public on the need for a healthy, productive, and resilient marine ecosystem off the Oregon Coast. This year's conference theme is "Oregon's Ocean: The Land-Sea Connection". The conference features a 3 part program with activities getting underway on Friday afternoon with Discovery Tours taking place in Newport, Charleston, and Florence. Friday evening will feature a dinner and presentation from Dr. Bob Malouf titled "Ocean Science and Management: Assessment of the Past 30 Years". Saturday's program will feature various panel discussions and presentations on topics such as the Territorial Sea Plan Update, Hypoxia, Ocean Resource Teams, and Marine Reserve Legislation. To learn more and to register for the conference, please visit http://www.hecetaheadconference.org/