The Lane County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution in support of marine reserves and endorsed the proposed Cape Perputua Marine Reserve, which runs from Yachats south to Heceta Head. (Photo by Larry Coonrod)

The Lane County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution on April 1 supporting a system of marine reserve and protected areas.

“Our ocean is incredibly important to Lane County’s environment, economy and health,” said West Lane Commissioner Bill Fleenor. “It is imperative that we collaborate on opportunities to protect our natural resources.”

The commissioners endorsed the Cape Perpetua site, which has been recommended for further study by Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s Ocean Policy Advisory Committee (OPAC). This potential marine reserve site is located near Heceta Head and extends north to Yachats.

“We are delighted that the county is supporting the Cape Perpetua site and the people of Florence and Yachats who nominated it,” said Susan Allen of the Pew Environment Group.

Last fall, OPAC reviewed 20 site proposals for marine protected areas and reserves. It recommended six sites: two specific sites and four additional areas for further consideration. One of the four areas is Cape Perpetua.

“With the Hatfield Marine Science Center and the fishing fleet in Newport close in proximity, there is a great opportunity to conduct collaborative research and use this special place as a reference area for the enhanced understanding of the important land-sea connections,” said Gus Gates, Oregon policy coordinator with the Surfrider Foundation. “Protecting Cape Perpetua will help sustain and protect the future viability of Oregon’s marine ecosystem, its fisheries and the economy.”

Paul Englemeyer of the Ten Mile Creek Sanctuary and the Audubon Society of Portland has advocated for a state network of marine reserves since 2002. He is encouraged by the commission’s resolution.

“This affirms that coastal communities and greater Lane County want to continue to work together to define a marine protected area and reserve,” he said. “I am confident stakeholders can find common ground to protect this important ecological area and we should move now so that our children and grandchildren can enjoy our magnificent ocean resource as much as we do.”

In July of 2008, the Yachats City Council passed a resolution supporting the creation of marine reserves and specifically one between Howard Point and the Lincoln and Lane county line.

The Lincoln County Commissioners passed a resolution on Oct. 22, 2008 supporting the proposed Otter Rock Marine Reserve as a pilot site in the state’s effort to establish a limited system of marine reserves in its territorial near-shore waters.

The proposed Cape Perpetua reserve would run from Smelt Sands State Park just north of Yachats south to Heceta Head and extend -at it’s widest point - from the shoreline to the edge of Oregon’s three-mile territorial boundary.

Scientific studies from 124 marine reserves around the world, including Washington and California, show that they often improve the size, diversity, and abundance of marine life living within.

According to Our Ocean, a coalition working to preserve Oregon’s coastal legacy, Oregon is the only Pacific coast state without marine reserves.