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| In Oregon, the beaches belong to the people. As part of Oregon's tradition of environmental stewardship, the Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition serves as the guardian of the public interest for our coastal region. Oregon Shores is dedicated to preserving the natural communities, ecosystems and landscapes of the Oregon coast while conserving the public's access. Oregon Shores pursues these ends through education, advocacy, and engaging citizens to keep watch over and defend the Oregon coast. |
| | ALERTS | | | Feb 3 NEW Oregon Shores Supports Bill to Ban Plastic Bags |   Tortoise with plastic bag. Many websites have cited this image, e.g. Easy Green. Its original source is unknown.
There is some debate over the relative merits of paper vs. plastic, when it comes to the amount of energy it takes to produce them or the results when they decompose in landfills. But for those concerned about the fate of the oceans, there is one overriding consideration—the role of plastic bags in contributing to marine debris. Bags reach the ocean in the millions, and are serious threats to sea turtles (which mistake them for jellyfish), marine mammals and many other denizens of the sea. Oregon Shores considers the “plague of plastics” to be a grave threat to the environmental health of the ocean.
We join our colleagues with Surfrider Foundation and many other conservation groups in urging that Oregon take this step toward reducing the flow of plastic bags into the environment.
At latest report, the bill was scheduled for a work session on Thursday, Feb. 11, at 1 p.m. in Room H.R. B at the Capitol.
 Contact: Robin Hartmann, Ocean Program Director, (541) 672-3694, or EMAIL
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MORE ALERTS... | Feb 1 NEW Pelican Population Raises Concerns
Coastal residents and visitors have noticed a dramatic increase in brown pelicans along the Oregon coast in recent years, and in each of the past two years, many pelicans have lingered here far longer than usual. Whereas in most years the pelicans ... MORE | | | | NEWS | | | Feb 4 NEW Oil Drilling Ban Moving Quickly | Oregon Shores’ major priority for the special session of the Oregon Legislature now taking place is passage of a moratorium on offshore drilling in Oregon’s territorial sea. This is also one of the key legislative priorities of the Oregon Conservation Network, of which Oregon Shores is a member.
House Bill 3613, which would implement a ten-year moratorium on drilling, has passed out of committee and will soon be up for a vote on the House floor. If the bill becomes law, it would help to provide certainty and stability for coastal communities which depend on Oregon’s fishing and tourism industries.
We are part of a broad-based coalition of conservation groups, the fishing community and local businesses working together to support this bill, sponsored by Rep. Ben Cannon (D-Portland). Because this moratorium is consistent with Oregon's long-time commitment to protecting our beaches, coastal habitats and fishing industry, and is clearly favored by the majority of coastal residents, it should receive wide bi-partisan support in both chambers.
Contact: Robin Hartmann, Ocean Program Director, (541) 672-3694, or EMAIL
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MORE NEWS... | Oct 1 09 Oregon Driftline Now Posted Online
The latest edition of Oregon Shores’ newsletter, which has been re-named “Oregon Driftline,” is now available on this site. The Fall, 2009 issue includes an essay by our new executive director, Phillip Johnson, setting forth Oregon Shores’ ... MORE | | | | EVENTS | | | Fri May 7 Mark Your Calendars for the 2010 Coast Conference | The dates and location for the 2010 edition of Oregon Shores’ annual Coast Conference have been chosen: Plan on joining us Friday evening, May 7, and all day Saturday, May 8, at Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay.
Saturday’s activities will take place at the Hales Center for the Performing Arts on the SWOCC campus. It’s too early for details, but look for presentations on the rapidly evolving science of climate change and on creative ways in which we can adapt to coming impacts on the Oregon coast. We anticipate presentations on offshore habitats and how we can best protect them, and on protecting rivers and estuaries. Look for a fascinating field trip or two as well. We’ll have a special speaker kick things off Friday evening in SWOCC’s Eden Hall.
Watch this space for more details in 2010 — but meanwhile, please mark your calendars and make attending the Coast Conference a high priority.
Contact: Phillip Johnson, CoastWatch Director, (503) 238-4450, or EMAIL
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