The State of Oregon’s Territorial Sea Plan Working Group is about to go on a traveling roadshow to update, inform, and listen to feedback from citizens and stakeholders on the process to amend our Territorial Sea Plan (TSP) and identify potentially suitable places where renewable energy might be allowed to occur within our state waters (0-3 nautical miles). This is a great opportunity to come out and learn more, show your support for the comprehensive planning process, and ask questions or raise concerns that you might have. Here is a good primer on how we have been engaging on this issue over the past several years as well as our study on Non-Consumptive recreational uses in Oregon that we partnered with State Agencies on for this process.

Here is a list of the meeting locations and dates, click on each one for meeting info and agendas:

Feb 2nd, 11am Portland

Feb 2nd, 5:30pm Eugene

Feb 10th, 11am Bandon

Feb 10th, 5:30pm Brookings

Feb 17th, 11am Camp Rilea

Feb17th, 5:30pm Cannon Beach

Feb 24th, 11am Waldport

Feb 24th, 5:30pm Reedsport

March 6th, 11am Depoe Bay

March 6th, 5:30pm Pacific City

Can’t make one of the meetings, but want provide input? Submit written comments online here

Thanks to all of our volunteers for there amazing work in 2011! Here’s to another great year!

Two very important meetings that will help shape the direction of future ocean planning will be taking place on Thursday & Friday (December 15/16th) in Astoria. The Territorial Sea Plan Working Group will be meeting on Thursday from Noon-5pm, with a subsequent screening of 2 ocean films starting at 6pm at the Fort George Brewery. The Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) will be meeting on Friday from 9am-4pm. Both meetings will be held at the Holiday Inn Express on 204 West Marine Drive in Astoria. More information and background meeting materials can be found here. You can learn more about our engagement in the Territorial Sea Planning process here.

We’re thrilled to offer our best Holiday gift membership package ever! We’ve bundled together the quintessential package for your friends, family and loved ones this holiday season. From the smallest ripper to oldest grom, this gift will definitely stoke anyone who receives it! For only $49, you can send your favorite beach enthusiast:

•    A Limited-edition, Surfrider Foundation 2-in-1 Changing Mat is the perfect solution for changing in and out of wet gear and for storing wetsuits, workout clothing, or other wet accessories! This 2-in-1 design features a durable polyester mat that helps keep the sand off your wetsuit while changing, then once you’re out, simply cinch up the drawstring cord to convert the changing mat into a wet bag! Great for any water sports enthusiast and even works for storing yoga or wet gym clothes as well!
•    A Bamboo Wax Comb to ensure every surfer has the right amount of control with every turn made.
•    A bar of Matunas 100% Natural Wax to provide the best grip.
•    A One-Year Membership to the Surfrider Foundation that includes 2 membership stickers, 6 issues of our digital newsletter Making Waves and a 20% discount at swell.com.

Give the gift that protects the beach you love and the waves we surf.

Now in it’s 7th year, the Heceta Head Coastal Conference is an event worth attending. Mark your calendars and register today to attend the conference happening on October 28/29th in Florence. This year’s program features the fresh faces leading ocean research in Oregon. Participants will learn about the cutting edge of marine science in our waters, focusing on new discoveries and future directions, including a student research poster session highlighting the next generation of Oregon’s scientists from colleges and universities throughout our state. There are Discovery Trips happening on Friday afternoon around the Siuslaw Estuary, as well as a dinner reception and presentation on Friday night.

That’s right folks it’s already time for another big push to help keep Oregon’s beaches and watersheds clean. This Saturday, September 17th from 10am-1pm come on out and lend a hand in stewardship efforts for our greatest natural assets. Surfrider Foundation volunteers and beach captains will be helping out at various locations up and down the coast. Everything is open game, come on out for a good time! More info and registration materials can be found here.

This year’s Pacific Northwest Conference for Oregon, Washington and BC Chapters, members and activists of Surfrider Foundation will be held in Newport, Oregon, September 23-25, 2011.  Complimentary arrangements for hotel and food will be granted on a first come first serve basis (there’s still some spots left!). This year’s theme is Ocean Friendly Gardens (OFG), and Paul Herzog, Surfrider Foundation’s OFG specialists will be traveling up to discuss the program and how members and chapters can better their gardening practices at home as well as implement various levels of programming and policy associated with Surfrider Foundation’s OFG initiative. Come out and join us, meet and network with some great fellow Surfriders!

Click Here to Register for the Conference!

The next public work session of the OPAC Territorial Sea Plan Working Group will be on Tuesday, July 26th in Newport, OR at Newport City Hall. Oregon’s nearshore ocean plan is being updated and informed by various stakeholders and the public for accommodating ocean renewable energy projects, while protecting public resources as prescribed by Oregon’s Goal 19. The Oregon Chapters of Surfrider Foundation have been involved with wave energy and territorial sea planning process for over 4 years now. Recreational interests are important to consider when evaluating the ocean’s nearshore for potential renewable energy projects and we want to be proactive. Check out what we’ve been doing on behalf of recreational users in Oregon!  Go here for agenda and more information on the meeting.

Mark your calendar to be heard by the President’s National Ocean Council (NOC) on July 1st in Portland, Oregon. The listening sessions to be held around the country on the new National Policy for the Stewardship of the Ocean, Coasts, and Great Lakes. This policy was established by President Obama through an executive order in July 2010 and is currently being implemented through the National Ocean Council. This comes as a great opportunity for Oregonians to learn more about the National Ocean Policy and provide input on strategic action plans. For more information, check out our national coastal blog and mark your calendar for July 1, 2011 at Portland State University.

Westport Weekend from Sitka on Vimeo.

Clean Water Classic from Eli Odegaard on Vimeo.