The Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) met recently to receive updates and comment on various ongoing projects.  OPAC serves as an advisory committee to the Governor and the legislature on issues relating to the near shore ocean, within the 3 mile limit.

There is no shortage of controversy within those three miles.  Best known is the marine reserve program.  Three additional sites (Cape Falcon, Cascade Head and Cape Perpetua) are currently being evaluated by local stakeholders and government officials.  Within these deliberations, a tremendous discussion is taking place around potential impacts and possible mitigation.  Concerns were expressed that ODFW was not allowing the stakeholders to deliberate to a “no reserve” recommendation.  ODFW clarified for OPAC that recommending not establishing a reserve or protected area is one of the options.

In trying to get out ahead of ocean wave energy generation projects, Oregon has put a plan in place that will help identify areas of the ocean that are suitable for wave energy.  Protecting existing ocean uses (fishing, recreation, etc.) and doing no harm to coastal economies are parts of the plan.  A whole bunch of data is needed to establish what the current state of affairs is.  Commercial and recreational fishers have been engaged in a process to identify where commercial fishing grounds are.  Recreation users have been surveyed and their use data has been collected.  In process is a project to collect baseline economic data about the coastal region.

The ocean plan contains siting, engineering, operation and disaster planning aspects that must be in place and accepted before construction can begin.  We are all aware of the vicious and powerful winter storms that rip the coast.  Our version of the BP nightmare could be wave energy devices breaking loose from the ocean floor and smashing apart on our coastline.

Ongoing research and funding for it was discussed at length.  Oregon is in the national spotlight for near shore ocean research, particularly with the fishing grounds maps we are developing.  Who controls the research agenda and funding sources are critical to developing a science knowledge base that is accepted by a broad base of Oregonians.  That wall of information must be gathered by scientists who have no personal agenda, and the process must be overseen by a diverse group of respected folks.  We have worked hard to have an open and participatory process, one of the reasons that the very diverse group that is involved in this has stayed at the table.

More info at http://www.oregonocean.info/