The lock-down put a significant crimp in our bird watching activities during 2020, and we all pined for our wonderful outings, classes and activities like the Christmas Bird Count. But even as those activities were curtailed, as a chapter we used the “down time” to focus on developing two comprehensive Rocky Habitat proposals designed to increase protections for Oregon’s rocky shores, including headlands, tide pools, reefs, underwater kelp forests and offshore rocks and islands.

But as Willie Nelson sang, “nobody said it was going to be easy.”

We were dealt a blow at the first meeting of the Ocean Policy Advisory Council’s (OPAC’s) Rocky Habitat Working Group on Feb. 25, during which neither of our proposals — one for Cape Foulweather and one for Cape Lookout — was recommended for advancement to the next step in the evaluation process. This was despite previous high praise from agency and working group personnel. And we were in good company; of the twelve (12) proposals presented by various communities and organizations along the coast, seven (7) were denied an initial recommendation.

While the members of our rocky habitat committee were disappointed, we quickly recalled that this is just the initial review, and that our proposals still have a very good chance of being accepted; but we have more work to do. The Working Group’s concerns are based on needing more information and clarity, not on fundamental flaws.

So what are the next steps? We’re taking action in two ways: 1) preparing written responses to the issues raised by the working group, and 2) undertaking a public awareness campaign.

We are publishing two stunning videos to showcase the proposal areas, launching a public petition, running ads in the Oregon Coast Today, sending flyers to every single one of our members, posting on our Facebook pages and writing letters to the editors of our local newspapers. You can also write your own letters to the editor, help stuff envelopes, share our social media posts, talk to your friends and neighbors, and sign our petition, or send your comments directly to the Working Group.

In April, the Working Group will reconvene to consider public input, including our responses to their technical concerns and all public comments.

Public comments and support are essential to shaping the final recommendations that go to OPAC.

We are truly confident that everyone’s hard work will pay off, and we appreciate your support!