Coos Bay Estuary Management Plan
What is the Coos Bay Estuary Management Plan?
The Coos Bay Estuary Management plan is a set of policies and laws that provide protections for the Coos Bay Estuary and its shorelands, which spans Coos County, City of North Bend, and City of Coos Bay.
The Coos Bay Estuary Management Plan influences long-term decisions that impact South Coast communities, Tribal lands, industries, cultural resources, ecosystems, and the climate. The plan is currently in the process of being updated for the first time in 40 years, and your voice is needed!
Image by Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition
South Coast Communities have the power to help shape the Coos Bay Estuary Management Plan
This October will begin a series of meetings and hearings to solidify Phase I of the Coos Bay Estuary Management Plan. A community presence and testimonies at these meetings will be crucial to making sure that this plan is updated in a way that best allows for a healthy, thriving bay, ecosystem and economy on the South Coast.
South Coast communities have already been making waves in the development of the plan update by reviewing the Phase I draft and submitting hundreds of comments to ensure that the plan reflects the social, cultural, and ecological fabric of this region. Sign up to give testimony, or attend the meeting to continue to grow a strong and consistent community presence as decisions are made about the updated estuary management plan.
South Coast community members attending the “Community Management of the Coos Bay Estuary” Brewed for Thought event on April 16, 2023. Rogue Climate and Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition spoke at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology organized event at the 7 Devils Brewery.
Take Action: Attend a Public Meeting or Hearing!
Community voices are needed to help finalize Phase I of the Coos Bay Estuary Management Plan! Participating in the upcoming meetings is an opportunity to take action to create strong protections that allow the Coos Bay Estuary –and the communities, ecosystems, and economies that depend on it– to thrive.
What we're advocating for during the Phase 1 update:
- Commitment to a Phase 2 update that includes climate adaptation and disaster preparedness
- A Citizens Advisory Committee that truly represents our communities, as well as a Technical Advisory Committee and an Ad-Hoc Steering Committee
- Defining the Port of Coos Bay’s role in the CBEMP process especially in regard to the passing of the Port Exemption Bill (HB 3382) and future upcoming proposals
- Robust public engagement so that this plan represents the community members’ visions for a thriving bay
- That Tribal sovereignty is adequately respected and integrated into the updated plan
Coos Bay Estuary Management Plan
Phase I Schedule:
Planning Commission Hearings:
August 8: Coos Bay Planning Commission Hearing
October 5: Coos County Planning Commission Hearing
Already occurred
October 16: North Bend Planning Commission Hearing
Already occurred
Public Hearing – Pre-approval Vote:
Individual joint work sessions were canceled to have Joint Work Sessions with all 3 jurisdictions in the same room. One has occurred on December 7.
January 10: Joint Work Session
WHEN: 6:00 PM
WHERE: 500 Central Ave , Coos Bay, OR 97420
Register to make a testimony HERE
Final Public Hearings:
To be announced.
Resources
Want to learn more about the Coos Bay Estuary Management Plan? Check out our partners and resources.
Learn more from our partner organization, Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition
Coos Bay Estuary Management Plan Update Comment Guide
For a close look at the Coos Bay Estuary Management Phase I drafts, check out the Coos County website.