ASLC Rocky Habitat proposals are moving forward

The Ocean Policy Advisory Council’s (OPAC’s) Rocky Habitat Working Group met again on April 29th to listen to proposers’ responses to their questions from the “Round One” meeting back in February. Our Rocky Habitat Coordinator Kent Doughty provided an excellent presentation about our two proposals that addressed the Working Group’s concerns, and the good news is that both our proposals are moving on to the next steps toward potential approval. The Rocky Habitat team is feeling incredibly pumped that we’ve made it this far!

A quick reminder about our proposals… We are seeking to have two sites added to the Rocky Habitat Management Strategy inventory as Marine Conservation Areas (MCA). The Cape Foulweather proposal includes the coastline from Whale Cove to Otter Rock and extends out into the ocean to encompass the near-shore kelp beds. The Cape Lookout proposal includes the coastline that wraps around the headland from north to south. The MCA designation is designed to protect “relatively intact ecosystems with high ecological value.”

This process is a first-of-its-kind in the state of Oregon – never before has the public been invited to propose areas for protective designation. Not to toot our own horns, but we have made it through an incredibly complex proposal process that at times felt truly overwhelming. It required careful delineation of habitat, development of rational, extensive communication and stakeholder outreach, and frankly, thousands and thousands of hours of work. Our two proposals were each 70-plus page documents heavy with technical language and detailed scientific documentation. As part of the process, our Audubon chapter also had to commit to taking a lead in ongoing stewardship and educational outreach.

Twelve different proposals were submitted by various community groups. Of those, two are now officially "recommended" by the Working Group for approval. Six, including our two, have received a “continuing consultation” designation, which means that they have merit but need additional discussion. The remaining four proposals will not be recommended to OPAC.

Whether or not our proposals are eventually accepted, this has been a tremendous growth experience for our Audubon chapter. We have learned that we can take on a very significant project and knock it out of the park; we have made a lot of new connections, and even friends, through our extended outreach; we have raised our chapter’s visibility with numerous regional and state organizations and agencies; and we have gained a tremendous amount of institutional knowledge along the way.

We want to thank all our members, constituents, and boosters who have encouraged us during this process. We still have work to do! If you are willing to provide public comment to OPAC, go to oregonocean.info to register. Your stories -- why you love Cape Lookout or Cape Foulweather and/or why you support our efforts to have them designated -- are critical to moving our proposals forward.

Learn more about our proposals.