Oregon Nearshore Research Task Force

The Oregon Nearshore Research Task Force was developed by the state legislature with the passage of House Bill 3106, at the end of the 2009 session. The purpose of the Task Force is to "make recommendations to ensure the protection and utilization of Oregon's nearshore resources." More specifically, the bill charges the Task Force to develop recommendations on a long-term funding and coordination strategy to meet the state's nearshore priorities and provides guidance on how the task force will implement the intent of the bill. Using key documents that outline nearshore priorities (Oregon Nearshore Marine Resource Management Strategy, West Coast Governors Agreement on Ocean Health, Oregon Territorial Sea Plan, and West Coast Regional Marine Research and Information Plan) HB 3106 identifies four objectives to guide development of the recommended strategy:

-Review, consolidate and anticipate nearshore priorities for supporting research, monitoring, management, policy, education, and outreach;

-Identify funding needs for current and anticipated nearshore programs;

-Identify funding process for transparent acceptances of public and private funds; and

-Identify mechanisms for data sharing among state agencies, institutions and other stakeholders.

Look for updates in the near future with a web site that is being created to serve as a clearinghouse of nearshore information. To learn more, and to find out how you can get involved, contact "nearshore recreation" representative Gus Gates at ggates@surfrider.org