With the Oregon State Legislatures passage of Senate Bill 1510 during the 2012 Session and Governor Kitzhaber's recent signing of the bill, a significant milestone for protecting the future health of our nearshore ecosystem has just been achieved. The passage of this bill designates the Cape Perpetua, Cascade Head, and Cape Falcon marine reserves and marine protected areas that were recommended by the respective community teams made up of local stakeholder representatives in 2010. This passage also sets up the process of agency rule-making and management plan development for each site which will occur over the next couple of years. Many thanks to all of the Oregon Chapters, volunteers, and activists who have engaged on this issue over the years! Read more in the recent Oregonian editorial here
Photo Credit: Ben Nieves, Heceta Head and Cape Perpetua