The State of Oregon has been engaged in a process to consider marine reserves along its coast for the past few years. With a recommendation from the state's Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC), and passage of legislation implementing that recommendation, the process is entering the next phase. Two pilot marine reserve sites will be implemented soon, and four other sites will undergo further work to consider, develop, or refine site proposals, and will be further evaluated as sites for possible future marine reserves. ODFW is in the process of developing a work plan that will guide the state's marine reserves work during the 2009-2011 biennium. The plan encompasses both the two pilot and the four evaluation sites, and covers biological, habitat, socioeconomic, and community outreach work. The plan seeks to achieve the goals and objectives set forth by OPAC, the governor's office, the legislature, and others within the state. The purpose of this workshop is to receive input from coastal community members, the fishing industry, ocean users, local elected officials, and the general public to help shape the work plan. Once this work plan is complete, further workshops and meetings will be held over the coming months with local community groups to guide work plan implementation. The workshop will be held on Thursday August 6, 2009 6:00-8:00 pm at the Best Western Agate Beach Inn 3019 North Coast Highway, Newport. For more information about the workshop, click here. To view the DRAFT workplan, click on the link below.
ODFW MR WORKPLAN DRAFT.pdf