Welcome to Chapter 9 – Ocean Resources. The Pacific Ocean defines the western edge of the State of Oregon. Its weather, waves, currents and tides affect nearly every aspect of the environment of the Oregon coast and are part of a large marine ecosystem extending from Vancouver Island to the tip of Baja California. The purpose of Statewide Planning Goal 19 is to conserve marine resources and ecology to provide long-term ecological, economic, and social benefits for future generations.
Goal 19 places a higher priority on protecting renewable resources than developing non-renewable ocean-related resources. State and federal agencies concerned with these resources are expected to coordinate with local jurisdictions.
Jurisdiction over the ocean is shared by federal and state governments. The State of Oregon owns the ocean floor from its shore out to three nautical miles, an area referred to as the Territorial Sea. From three nautical miles to 200, the federal government has jurisdiction over the seabed, resources and uses. From the shore to the edge of what is known as the continental margin, about 40 miles out to sea, Oregon has acknowledged an interest but not ownership over ocean resources or direct regulatory authority. This is called the Ocean Stewardship Area.
Over time, the legislature has authorized various state agencies to manage a variety of uses and resources in the ocean. In general, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department has jurisdiction over the ocean shore, which includes the dry sand beaches as well as the area out to extreme low tide, including rocky intertidal areas. The Department of State Lands controls the seabed from mean high water out to three nautical miles, the extent of state jurisdiction.
Other state agency authorities are the Department of Fish and Wildlife for marine fisheries, wildlife, and habitats; the Department of Environmental Quality for ocean water quality and response to oil spills; the State Marine Board for boater registration and safety; and the Oregon State Police for enforcement of fish and wildlife regulations. The Department of Land Conservation and Development is responsible for coordinating all planning for the state’s Territorial Sea. Although the boundaries of coastal counties extend seaward to the limits of state jurisdiction, local governments have no planning or regulatory authority or responsibility in the Territorial Sea.
Several federal agencies have important authority over resources and uses in Oregon’s Territorial Sea. They are subject to the National Ocean Policy whose purpose is to coordinate federal ocean-related actions and programs in partnership with coastal states and tribes. These federal agencies include:
As required by law, The Land Conservation and Development Commission adopted Oregon’s Territorial Sea Plan in 1994. It covers the coastal high-tide area out to three nautical miles. The Plan is based on the requirements of Goal 19. The Plan is a coast-wide strategy to protect Oregon’s valuable and vulnerable ocean areas while enabling appropriate development. It requires state and federal agencies to analyze the effects of proposed activities on ocean resources and the marine environment.
The Plan is amended as needed by the Department of Land Conservation and Development as well as the Ocean Policy Advisory Council. Submarine telecommunication cables and ocean energy devices are examples of new and emerging needs that are examined by the agency and other affected agencies, stakeholders and the public.