Sunday, August 19, 2007
Consensus Statement: Oregon's Ocean
Oregon Surfrider recently partnered with a number of fishing groups, scientists, and environmental organizations to develop a consensus statement on Oregons ocean. The statement addresses the current health of Oregons marine ecosystem, as well as the role of management tools such as marine protected areas (MPAs) and marine reserves. The effort represents an important collaboration between a range of different stakeholder groups and demonstrates promise that diverse interests in Oregon can work together on issues like marine reserve planning, wave energy development, and watershed stewardship. Signers to the statement include: Portland Audubon, Northwest Steelheaders, Oceana, Five Star Charters, Port Orford Ocean Resource Team, Berkley Conservation Institute, NW Guides and Anglers, Pacific Marine Conservation Council, Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association, and others To read the full statement see first comment to this post.
LNG Update: Astoria
On Aug 29, the Clatsop County Planning Commission rejected the advice of two staff reports and voted (4 to 3) in favor of land use amendments that would allow development of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project at Bradwood Landing by developer NorthernStar Natural Gas Co. The Planning Commission will meet again on Sept 21 to draft their formal recommendation to the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners. The decision represents a setback in the campaign to opposed LNG development in Astoria; however, there are still a number of hurdles that the Bradwood Landing project would have to clear (at the local, state, and federal level) to receive necessary permits. A number of concerns about LNG have been raised including threats to: water quality, shoreline access, public safety, local economics, salmon populations, etc. Bradwood Landing is one of four project proposals to establish import LNG terminals in the Astoria area. The other proposed sites include Tansy Point, within the City of Warrenton, and the east and west banks of the Skipanon River mouth. On Sept 18, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will hold a public hearing on the Oregon LNG project proposed on the Skipanon Peninsula. Surfrider volunteers on the north coast are working to oppose LNG in the Astoria area. If you are interested in getting involved in this campaign contact pstauffer@surfrider.org. For more info on the proposed project see http://www.co.clatsop.or.us/index.aspAug 29 Forum: Marine Reserve Planning
On Wed, Aug 29, Surfrider is sponsoring an open forum from 7-9pm at the Newport Visual Arts Center. Entitled Marine Reserves: What YOU Need to Know, the forum will feature presentations from members of the Oregon Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) on Oregon's public process to establish a network of reserves in Oregon's Territorial Sea. The evening will also feature the short film: Common Ground: Oregon's Ocean, produced by Greenfire Productions, as well as opportunities to get involved at the local and state level. Food and Beverages will be provided. All are welcome. See you there!Surfrider Files Motion on Proposed Florence Wave Park
On Aug 13, Surfrider filed a Motion of Intervention with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on the proposed wave energy project off the Florence South Jetty. The motion is an administrative action that will secure "party" status for Surfrider in the permitting process. Surfrider is not opposed to wave energy development in Oregon and we recognize the value of renewable energy. However, there are some unique concerns regarding this particular project, including the proposed location and form of technology. In short, the goal of the motion is to position our local membership to have a greater influence in how permitting process moves forward. To read full motion, see first comment to this post.Saturday, August 18, 2007
Incubus on Aug 26
Portland Chapter will be tabling at the upcoming Incubus show on August 26th at Columbia Meadows in St. Helens, OR as part of the KUFO Rockfest. Incubus are huge Surfrider supporters and have participated in past Surfrider outreach events such as Celebrity Surf Jam. Their music combines elements of funk, thrash, grunge, hip-hop, and jazz. Thanks to the band for hooking us up with tickets and inviting us to get the Surfrider message out on their tour. Should be a great show. See ya there!Friday, August 17, 2007
Paddle Out on Willamette: Sept 8th
A clean ocean starts with clean rivers! Join Portland Chapter as we paddle across the Willamette River on Sept 8th to raise awareness for a clean watershed. Bring your surfboards, paddleboards, kayaks or canoes and join us! We'll meet at 12pm at the public dock underneath the SE side of the Hawthorne Bridge. There is parking available on SE Morrison St where it dead ends into the river trail. Guest speakers, prizes, refreshments and food will be provided. And, you'll have the chance to learn more about Surfrider's and other water quality groups' campaigns, upcoming events, and volunteer opportunities.This Paddle Out will draw attention to Surfrider efforts to address water quality and storm water issues from the City of Portland to the mouth of the Columbia and north coast. Water quality issues in Portland, that may be seemingly unrelated to the coast, are in fact intricately connected via rivers and streams that transport urban water quality issues to our beaches and coastlines. Specifically, the Willamette River is the conduit for millions of gallons of water, sediment, and unfortunately, pollution each day. Surfrider Portland and other groups will be discussing their programs and highlighting federal legislation (Beach Protection Act 2007 and Raw Sewage Overflow Community Right To Know Act) that would benefit river and coastal water quality monitoring and awareness. They will also be highlighting and distributing free copies of Surfrider’s State of the Beach Report 2007, published in Portland with the theme of water quality.
Monday, August 06, 2007
West Coast Governors' Agreement
On September 18, 2006, the Governors of Washington, Oregon, and California announced a historic agreement to collectively address ocean health off the west coast. The agreement identifies seven priority areas for action, including: clean waters and beaches; protecting ocean and coastal habitats; reducing impacts of offshore development; and implementing ecosystem-based management. Over the past few months, Oregon Chapter has been coordinating with Washington and California chapters to develop shared recommendations for the three states to advance the agreement. Oregon Chapter has also presented public comments in Tillamook and Portland, endorsing the effort and thanking the Governors for their work thus far. Sometime this fall, the Governors will release an action plan for moving forward. To read Oregon Chapter comments see first comment to this postCharleston Aug 22: Marine Reserve Workgroup
On Aug 22, the OPAC Marine Reserve Workgroup will meet in Charleston to discuss objectives and ecological criteria for a network of marine reserves in Oregon's waters. This fall, a six month public nomination process for identifying reserve sites is scheduled to begin. Placement of marine reserves will need to be done thoughtfully, with a wide array of stakeholders weighing in. We need a coalition of Oregon residents, including people who use and depend on the ocean in a variety of ways, to participate in the designation of marine reserves along the Oregon coast. There are a number of opportunities to get involved with the planning process at both the local and state level. For info please visit "volunteer opportunities" section of Oregon Surfrider website. For meeting details see http://www.lcd.state.or.us/LCD/OPAC/index.shtml
