Surfrider Foundation Water Quality Comments on Georgia Pacific Permit

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife                                                December 2, 2005
3406 Cherry Avenue N.E.                                                         
Salem, OR 97303

Public Comments

ODFW Commission Meeting, December 2, 2005

Oregon’s Nearshore Resource Management Strategy: Exhibit I

Dear Chair Rae and Commission Members

My name is Pete Stauffer with the Oregon Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's oceans, waves and beaches for all people, through conservation, activism, research and education. Surfrider Foundation has nearly 500 members here in the State of Oregon. We encompass surfers, divers, fishers, paddlers, swimmers, beach-goers, and wildlife enthusiasts. On behalf of our entire membership, I would like to thank the Commission and ODFW staff for their efforts in developing Oregon’s Nearshore Marine Resources Management Strategy.

Endorsement

The Surfrider Foundation urges the Commission to endorse the Nearshore Marine Resources Management Strategy as proposed

The Oregon Chapter of Surfrider endorses the Strategy’s philosophy, this planning process, and especially this step towards ecosystem-based management (EBM). We recognize that the Nearshore Strategy is a critical step in developing a comprehensive framework to manage Oregon’s extraordinary nearshore marine resources. Surfrider Foundation pledges to assist this process in whatever capacity it can.

In particular, Surfrider supports the following elements of the Strategy

·        Emphasis on the need for coordinated management of the nearshore. Improved coordination between the agencies and governments that manage Oregon’s nearshore environment is essential if ecosystem-based management is to be achieved. As recognized by both the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and the Pew Oceans Commission, such an integrated approach to management holds the greatest promise for ensuring sustainability of marine resources. Due to ODFW’s broad purview, we believe that ODFW is in a position – and possibly the only agency – that could coordinate all relevant management agencies.

·        ODFW commitment to providing scientific support to OPAC in the establishment of marine reserves in Oregon’s Territorial Sea. Marine protected areas (MPAs) including reserves have been identified by OPAC as an important management tool that may contribute to the conservation of marine ecosystems. Surfrider respectfully suggests that ODFW continue to be involved wherever possible within the OPAC process to assist that Council with the establishment of a limited network of marine protected areas including reserves in Oregon. We believe that MPAs may significantly contribute to ODFW achieving its mission of “Protecting and enhancing Oregon’s fish and wildlife and their habitats”.

Implementation

The Surfrider Foundation requests that the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife move forward immediately with implementation of the Nearshore Strategy.  

As noted in the document, limited funding may prohibit the simultaneous implementation of all 16 recommendations. Surfrider supports all of the recommendations and hopes each will be implemented as soon as possible. Accordingly, we recommend that the Nearshore Advisory Committee be established as the first order of business. Establishing an Advisory Committee will promote the timely and effective implementation of all recommendations identified in the Strategy, and ensure that the time and energy expended by ODFW staff and the public in this process will not have been in vain. Surfrider has been significantly engaged in the development of the Strategy and believes it could provide important contributions through representation on this Committee.