Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Surfing on Oregon Field Guide This Week
This Thursday at 8:30 pm and Sunday at 6:30 pm, Oregon Field Guide will be taking a look into the window of the lives and waves of few surfers here in Oregon. I don't know much about this one as Surfrider wasn't involved, but definitely curious to see what the good folks at OPB and Oregon Field Guide uncovered. Quoting Michael Bendixen chief photographer on the story, "we want to bring the audience as close as they can get to the surfer’s experience. We'd like the audience to feel the first peak of a wave, popping up on the board, and working with the wave's energy as you complete the ride. The ocean landscape is one of unrelenting change and unpredictability. In short, it’s a challenge to film. But, by doing this production, we were able to meet a group of surfers who commit a lot to this sport and lifestyle. More Here or click on the video clip at right.
Monday, November 09, 2009
Oregon's Territorial Sea Plan Update Process
Oregon's Territorial Sea has been the focus of much attention recently. With numerous wave energy project proposals submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), many wondered how this emerging use was going to fit in with existing uses such as commercial and recreational fishing, as well as non-consumptive activities like surfing, kayaking, and kite boarding. In March of 2008, Governor Kulongoski signed an important Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with FERC that said Oregon would only allow wave energy projects to be built on a limited pilot project basis until we had revised our Territorial Sea Plan to include a new chapter for siting alternative energy projects within our nearshore. This policy framework of how we go about siting projects has been developed over the past year by OPAC's Territorial Sea Plan Working Group, as well as the Territorial Sea Plan Advisory Committee (of which Surfrider Foundation serves on as a rep of "Ocean Recreation"). Last week the Land Conservation and Development Commission adopted this new chapter, and set the stage for the next step in the on-going process which is to identify potential areas that might be suitable for siting alternative energy projects after important ecological, fishing and recreational areas have been mapped out. Check out the recent press in the Oregonian about the TSP process by clicking here. For an overview of how we have engaged on this issue, click on the link below for our 1 page document.Thursday, October 29, 2009
Sociocultural Study of Non-Consumptive Recreational Ocean Users within Oregon's Nearshore
Oregon State University is conducting research focusing on the "non- consumptive" ocean recreational users of Oregon - including divers, surfers, kite boarders, windsurfers, boaters/sailors, kayakers, and boat-based nature viewers. The project hopes to better understand these communities in learning about their needs, perspectives, composition, and contributions. Presently, there is a void in available information on these groups. The information gathered will be used to create a profile of these recreational communities to potentially serve as a foundation for informing policy decisions. This project seeks to ensure that the present void in information on these "non-consumptive" recreational ocean users is filled to facilitate their representation in future decision-making regarding Oregon's ocean. As a stakeholder of Oregon's ocean resources, your participation is highly valued. Participation in the study is voluntary, limited to individuals over the age of 18, and will involve the completion of a mail questionnaire. Tuesday, October 20, 2009
OPAC Meeting in Florence on 10/23
The Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) will be having a meeting this Friday from 9-4pm at the Florence Events Center. Topics of the meeting include an update on Marine Reserves, the West Coast Governor's Agreement on Ocean Health, and the Territorial Sea Plan Revision process. There will also be time for public comment. To view the draft agenda, click here. Stick around after the meeting for the 5th annual Heceta Head Coastal Conference, visit www.hecetaheadconference.org to register and learn more.Friday, October 16, 2009
Oregon Marine Reserve Rulemaking Meetings
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will be holding public meetings in concert with the Division of State Lands and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department on their respective draft rules for establishing a marine reserve at Otter Rock, as well as a marine reserve and marine protected area at Redfish Rocks in Port Orford. The meetings will take place in Salem, Port Orford, and Otter Rock between October 20-22. For more information, and to view the draft rules, click here.Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 1-3 PM
State Lands Building
Land Board Room
775 Summer Street N.E.
Salem, Oregon
Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 7-9 PM
Port Orford Public Library
1421 Oregon Street
Port Orford, Oregon
State Lands Building
Land Board Room
775 Summer Street N.E.
Salem, Oregon
Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 7-9 PM
Port Orford Public Library
1421 Oregon Street
Port Orford, Oregon
Thursday, October 22, 2009, 7-9 PM
The Inn at Otter Crest
301 Otter Crest Drive
Otter Rock, Oregon
The Inn at Otter Crest
301 Otter Crest Drive
Otter Rock, Oregon
Monday, October 05, 2009
5th Annual Heceta Head Coastal Conference
The 5th Annual Heceta Head Coastal Conference is coming up on October 23-24 in Florence. This annual event is intended to inform and educate the public on the need for a healthy, productive, and resilient marine ecosystem off the Oregon Coast. This year's conference theme is "Oregon's Ocean: The Land-Sea Connection". The conference features a 3 part program with activities getting underway on Friday afternoon with Discovery Tours taking place in Newport, Charleston, and Florence. Friday evening will feature a dinner and presentation from Dr. Bob Malouf titled "Ocean Science and Management: Assessment of the Past 30 Years". Saturday's program will feature various panel discussions and presentations on topics such as the Territorial Sea Plan Update, Hypoxia, Ocean Resource Teams, and Marine Reserve Legislation. To learn more and to register for the conference, please visit http://www.hecetaheadconference.org/Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Creating a National Ocean Policy
President Barack Obama has put together an Ocean Policy Task Force to help develop a National Ocean Policy and a framework for Marine Spatial Planning. The Task Force is currently holding listening sessions around the country to gather public input. This is a great opportunity to express support for ocean conservation - in particular, an Executive Order to protect, maintain, and restore our oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes. A strong National Ocean Policy will prioritize lasting ecosystem protection, while providing much needed coordination for the 20 agencies and 140 laws that currently govern these resources. Marine Spatial Planning provides an opportunity to plan for all the various existing/emerging uses of the ocean, while ensuring we protect our oceans for future generations. To read the Surfrider Coastal A-Z article on MSP, click here. For an in-depth set of recommendations, click here to view the letter from our friends at NRDC. Chapters and individuals are encouraged to submit written comments through the website of the Ocean Policy Task Force, to do so, click here.Monday, September 21, 2009
2009 Oregon Fall Beach Cleanup
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Make Everyday a Beach Cleanup, do it Statewide on Sept. 19th!
Have you ever found yourself on a remote beach or in a secluded cove and wondered why there always seems to be so much trash on the beach? Most of it usually floats in during winter storms, brought by ocean currents that have been carrying this trash throughout the ocean. Unfortunately, 80% of the trash that is found in the ocean gets there from land-based sources. Most Surfrider members make everyday beach cleanup day by picking up the un-sightly trash that they find on their beach, and many chapters and members also participate in the annual SOLV beach cleanups in the Fall and Spring. This year will mark the 25th anniversary that SOLV has been doing beach cleanups in Oregon, please mark your calendar and plan to participate in the annual Fall cleanup on September 19th at all Oregon beaches. Chapters and Organizing committees will be captaining sites all along the coast, and your help is needed! To learn more, and to fill out an on-line volunteer waiver click here. To find out more facts about the impacts of plastics on the marine environment, and how you can be part of the solution, rather than the pollution, visit www.riseaboveplastics.orgWednesday, August 19, 2009
Lincoln County Wave Energy Community Forums
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners and County Counsel, in conjunction with Oregon State Extension Sea Grant Program and the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center at the Hatfield Marine Science Center, are holding Community Forums on Wave Energy in the communities of Yachats, Lincoln City, and Newport. The goal of the Community Forums is to inform, listen to and engage citizens in Lincoln County in the planning and development of wave energy generation.- Monday, August 24th at 6:00 pm in Room 8, Yachats Commons, 441 Hwy 101 N., Yachats
- Tuesday, August 25th at 6:00 pm in the Lincoln City Council Chambers, City Hall, 801 SW Hwy 101, Lincoln City
Wednesday, August 26th at 6:00 pm in the Auditorium, Hatfield Marine Science Center, 2030 Marine Science Drive, South Beach
For more information, and to view the agenda, click here
Friday, August 14, 2009
Blue Vision Summit Wrap Up
The Blue Vision Summit from David McGuire on Vimeo.
Great work and good minds by all our chapter members and Oregon's very own Pete Stauffer who participated in this amazing summit!
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
ODFW Marine Reserve Workshop this Thursday
The State of Oregon has been engaged in a process to consider marine reserves along its coast for the past few years. With a recommendation from the state's Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC), and passage of legislation implementing that recommendation, the process is entering the next phase. Two pilot marine reserve sites will be implemented soon, and four other sites will undergo further work to consider, develop, or refine site proposals, and will be further evaluated as sites for possible future marine reserves. ODFW is in the process of developing a work plan that will guide the state's marine reserves work during the 2009-2011 biennium. The plan encompasses both the two pilot and the four evaluation sites, and covers biological, habitat, socioeconomic, and community outreach work. The plan seeks to achieve the goals and objectives set forth by OPAC, the governor's office, the legislature, and others within the state. The purpose of this workshop is to receive input from coastal community members, the fishing industry, ocean users, local elected officials, and the general public to help shape the work plan. Once this work plan is complete, further workshops and meetings will be held over the coming months with local community groups to guide work plan implementation. The workshop will be held on Thursday August 6, 2009 6:00-8:00 pm at the Best Western Agate Beach Inn 3019 North Coast Highway, Newport. For more information about the workshop, click here. To view the DRAFT workplan, click on the link below.ODFW MR WORKPLAN DRAFT.pdf
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Portland Ban the Bag
On July 29, members of the SignOn_PlasticBags_Portland_7_29_09.doc
MediaRelease_Surfrider_Ban_the_Bag_July29_DRAFT3.doc
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
NRDC Releases Annual "Testing the Waters" Report
For the 19th year in a row, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has released a report summarizing the status of our nations beach water quality. Unfortunately, 2008 marked the 4th year in a row that the number of closing and advisory days topped 20,000 days nationwide due to elevated bacteria levels. In Oregon, 3% of all reported beach monitoring samples exceeded the state's daily maximum bacterial standards, which was a decrease from 8% in 2007. This indicates that some progress is being made to keep our nearshore waters clean, however much work still remains, especially in a number of problem areas. Harris Beach State Park in Brookings had the highest rate of exceedence in the state at 20%. Reported sources of beachwater contamination included: unknown sources (52%), sewage spills/leaks (13%), and sewer line cross connections and clogged ocean outfalls (33%). This highlights the need for identifying and correcting sources of beachwater contamination, one of the key elements included in the Clean Coastal Environment and Public Health Act currently being considered in Congress, take action and show your support to your Congressmen by clicking here. To read the full report, visit: http://www.nrdc/beachesThursday, July 23, 2009
Honoring the Life of Gary Smither
Recently, the Oregon surfing community lost a great man and a great surfer. Longtime Surfrider member and Coos Bay resident Gary Smither passed away after a long battle with cancer. Gary will be missed by all, and remembered for his positive attitude towards life. There will be a honorary paddleout at the North End of Bastendorf Beach in Charleston on August 8th, starting at 3pm. There will be a potluck, BBQ, and a bon fire to follow. Please come and join everyone in having fun and remembering Gary. Pictured above is Gary on a recent trip to Sumatra with friends, doing what he loved...
