Oregon Invites Public to Comment on Rules for New Marine Reserves
OutdoorHub 06.18.12
The Oregon Departments of Fish and Wildlife and State Lands have proposed administrative rules for the newly-designated marine reserve sites at Cape Perpetua, Cascade Head and Cape Falcon, and will be asking for comments during a series of public meetings in June.
The new marine reserves were created during the 2012 Oregon Legislative session with the passage of Senate Bill 1510. The bill directs the state agencies to adopt rules establishing boundaries and regulating activities in the marine reserves and associated marine protected areas.
The draft rules are available for public review and comment on the Oregon Marine Reserves Website at oregonocean.info/marinereserves.
The agencies will host four public meetings on the proposed rules. All meetings are from 6-8 p.m.
- Astoria, June 19 – Clatsop Community College, 1651 Lexington Avenue
- Tillamook, June 20 – Oregon Department of Forestry, 5005 3rd Street
- Florence, June 25 – Florence Events Center, 715 Quince Street
- Depoe Bay, June 26 – Depoe Bay Community Hall, 220 SE Bay Street
The public also can comment before the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission at its Aug. 3 meeting in Salem.
Written comments can be sent by July 27 to:
- ODFW at Attn: Marine Reserves, 2040 SE Marine Science Dr, Newport, OR 97365 or odfw.marinereserves@state.or.us.
- DLS at Rules Coordinator, Marine Reserves, 775 Summer St. NE Suite 100, Salem, OR 97301 or marinereservesrules@dsl.state.or.us.
The rules proposed by ODFW will regulate fishing and hunting activities within each site. While the rules regarding marine reserves specifically prohibit hunting and fishing, some of these activities will be allowed in the adjacent marine protected areas. Proposed fishing regulations would take effect after two years of collecting baseline data.
The DSL rules will establish site boundaries and regulate seafloor uses that require state authorization or a removal-fill permit, including the harvest of subtidal kelp.
The Oregon Legislature designated the state’s first marine reserves at Otter Rock and Redfish Rocks in 2009.
