As 2023 comes to a close for Surfrider’s Oregon chapter network, we could not be more proud reflecting on all the remarkable accomplishments for our ocean, waves, and beaches. From big statewide plastic pollution victories like banning foam takeout containers to stopping harmful beach development projects and securing a land donation for beach access, our Oregon network this year has been active across all of our key initiatives. Please take a moment to review some top initiative achievements from 2023 and take pride in knowing you are a part of Surfrider's collective effort!
This newsletter provides a summary of our 2023 work. You can read the full year in review on our website.
Helping to eliminate plastic pollution as one of the greatest threats to our oceans and wildlife remained a key area for our Oregon chapter network’s focus this year. At the state level, Surfrider launched abold policy packagein early 2023 and our tireless activism in Salem led to 2 major statewide victories - finally banning foam takeout in restaurants and paving the way for reusables in Oregon health code, significant policy wins representing years of work. At the grassroots level, our chapters continue to keep our beaches clean, with 34 beach and inland cleanups, engaging 831 volunteers and removing more than 5,000 lbs of trash.
Surfrider’s robust Blue Water Task Force Program in Oregon once again shined with 404 water quality samples taken representing around 800 volunteer hours across 6 Surfrider chapter labs and programs from Bandon to Astoria. At the policy level, Oregon is addressing climate action through water quality regulations targeting Ocean Acidification. This groundbreaking initiative is the first in the nation to establish a methodology for regulating Ocean Acidification under the Clean Water Act and Oregon’s Integrated Water Quality Monitoring plan.
This year marked the ten year anniversary for Oregon’s Marine Reserves and Protected Areas, a major achievement that has been a priority for Surfrider since their designations. While our legislative effort fell short in 2023 to advance climate and tribal recommendations for these special places, we have organized a sharp campaign aimed at 2024 for this Oregon ocean protection legacy. Additionally, the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management released draft Wind Energy Areas for leasing significant areas of Oregon’s ocean for offshore wind energy development. Surfrider navigated the political emotions of this process in 2023 to educate and survey our chapter network; and, ultimately file extensive comments to BOEM both individually and again collectively with a wildlife coalition.
Responding to climate change remains one of our strongest priorities here in Oregon. Our North Coast Chapter had a significant campaign victory preventing an audacious “superdrive” development. Surfrider also launched a project in Cannon Beach, supporting a nature based solution to erosion at Ecola Creek. And we’ve launched a new Save the Shore campaign to improve shoreline management and protect public beaches. Although we achieved great wins for Oregon's coastline this year, the loss of a shoreline armoring campaign in Tillamook, which may create loopholes for development, shows that Oregon is in need of policy reform, local planning, and state guidance to better address sustainably managing our beaches in response to climate change and sea level rise.
Following a two year legal battle to restore beach access to Lighthouse Beach in Coos Bay, significant progress was made in 2023 when the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission voted to conditionally accept a donation of land for the access. This milestone comes as part of Surfrider and the O’Leary family’s continued legal negotiations to restore public access to Lighthouse Beach in perpetuity. Surfrider’s Coos Bay Chapter has poured countless hours of fundraising and legal strategy to arrive at this solution, creating this proud legacy for future generations to enjoy Lighthouse Beach - massive!
