The State of Oregon is going through a very important process right now to revise our Territorial Sea Plan. Stakeholders, local governments, state agencies, and interested citizens are engaging in this effort to protect important marine habitats, recreational areas, fishing grounds, and existing infrastructure from the emerging interest of developing renewable energy in the ocean. Learn more about this effort, and our engagement on this issue over the past 4 years here. The time is getting near that decisions will be made to create "opportunity zones" for potential offshore development. Significant efforts are being made to minimize conflicts with existing beneficial uses that are already occurring within our waters, and this is being aided by a decision support tool called Oregon MarineMap, which includes various data layers of resources found within Oregon's waters.
As the official representative of "non-fishing recreation" on the TSP Working Group and Advisory Committees, we take our role very seriously and want to ensure that all non-consumptive recreational ocean users have the opportunity to have their voice heard in this important process. Quantitative data has already been collected thanks to your great participation in the Recreational Ocean Use Study last year. Now we would like to provide you the opportunity to tell us as representatives of your interest about places that are special to you. This can be everything from your favorite surf spot, frequented dive spot, or a windsurfing mecca etc. What makes a place special you ask? Well, it's different for everyone, for some it could be ease of access to the ocean, protection from the elements, a place close to home, beautiful scenery, or a place with abundant wildlife or unique habitat features. All of the above are important to different people for different reasons, and they are all important for Oregon to protect in this process. If you have special places within Oregon's Territorial Sea (0-3 nautical miles) that you want to make sure are on the list for being protected, please send an email with a site description to ggates@surfrider.org
Confidentiality will be protected, local use respected, and this information will not be published in any shape or form.