Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 196 § 196.415 — Legislative findings for ocean resources management

Legislative findings for ocean resources management. The Legislative Assembly finds that: (1) The Pacific Ocean and its many resources are of environmental, economic, aesthetic, recreational, social and historic importance to the people of this state. (2) Exploration, development and production of ocean resources likely to result from both federal agency programs in federal waters of the outer continental shelf and initiatives of private companies within state waters will increase the chance of conflicting demands on ocean resources for food, energy and minerals, as well as waste disposal and assimilation, and may jeopardize ocean resources and values of importance to this state. (3) The fluid, dynamic nature of the ocean and the migration of many of its living resources beyond state boundaries extend the ocean management interests of this state beyond the three geographic mile territorial sea currently managed by the state pursuant to the federal Submerged Lands Act. (4) Existing federal laws, the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990, the Magnuson Fisheries Management and Conservation Act of 1976, as amended, and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1978, recognize the interests of coastal states in management of ocean resources in federal waters and provide for state participation in ocean resources management decisions. The Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990 require that all federal coastal activities affecting natural resources, land uses and water uses in the coastal zone must be consistent with the federally approved Oregon Coastal Management Program. (5) The 1983 Proclamation of the 200-mile United States Exclusive Economic Zone has created an opportunity for all coastal states to more fully exercise and assert their responsibilities pertaining to the protection, conservation and development of ocean resources under United States jurisdiction. (6) It is important that the State of Oregon develop and maintain a program of ocean resources management to promote management of living and nonliving marine resources within state jurisdiction, to insure effective participation in federal agency planning and management of ocean resources and uses which may affect this state, and to coordinate state agency management of ocean resources with local government management of coastal shorelands and resources. (7) While much is known about the ocean, its composition, characteristics and resources, additional study and research is required to gain information and understanding necessary for sound ocean planning and management. [1987 c.576 §3; 1991 c.501 §3; 2003 c.744 §4]