Coos Bay Estuary Management Planning
Phase 2 Coordination Hub
Welcome!
This website serves as a landing point for updates, resources, and other pertinent information throughout the second phase of the Coos Bay Estuary Management Plan (CBEMP) development process. Please contact deanna@sea-shoresolutions.com for questions or updates regarding this website or the CBEMP update process.
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What are estuary management plans?
Oregon’s Estuary Management Plans are foundational resources for coastal cities and counties, including spatial designation and classification of discrete estuarine management units, permissible uses for different portions of estuaries based on management unit classification, and regulatory standards for the review of aquatic area development proposals. Oregon’s Statewide Land Use Planning Goal 16 (Estuarine Resources) directs all local governments with authority over an estuary to prepare and adopt an Estuary Management Plan and related land use regulations.
Coos Bay is one of three deep-draft development estuaries in the state, with maintained jetties and channels more than 22 feet deep. As a deep-draft development estuary, the CBEMP can delinate estuary management units in all three designations: Natural, Conservation, and Development.
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Natural units are managed to protect natural resources, such as areas with significant fish and wildlife habitat, especially those that are the least altered or developed. They contain extensive salt marshes, tideflats, seagrass and algae beds, and a variety of fish and wildlife. Permissible uses include low-intensity water-dependent recreation, research, passive restoration, bridge crossings, and limited use of riprap. Uses that may be allowed under the resource capability test include boat ramps, aquaculture, habitat restoration, pipelines or other utility crossings, and bridge crossing support structures.
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The conservation unit is applied to areas that have been altered from their natural state. While their natural resources and habitat may be smaller or less significant than those in natural management unit areas, resource protection is still important for their long-term quality and health. A variety of development is allowed as long as there are no major alterations. Uses that may be allowed under the resource capability test include high-intensity water-dependent recreation, marinas, certain water surface uses that do not require dredging or filling, and aquaculture.
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Development units are reserved for areas with fewer natural resources that have been the most altered. These are typically applied to deep-water areas close to shore, navigation channels and subtidal areas suitable for disposal of dredged materials. In addition to uses allowed in natural and conservation management units, permissible uses include dredging and filling, water-dependent commercial activities, and dredged navigation channel and water storage areas that support industry, commerce, and recreation. Resource capability uses include non-water dependent or related uses and mining.
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After adoption, the City of Eastside was incorporated into the City of Coos Bay, changing local jurisdictional boundaries.
In 2015, the Partnership for Coastal Watersheds (PCW)—a coalition of local, state, federal, and community representatives—began evaluating how to update the CBEMP. Their process intentionally mirrored the original IATF approach.
In 2019, PCW presented findings and recommendations to local governments. Officials agreed a full update was too resource-intensive, but supported incremental updates.
A 2024 partial update was initiated as the first step toward a comprehensive revision, recognizing the need to align land use with evolving community, economic, and environmental priorities.
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In April 1983, LCDC issued a 258-page review with suggested changes and gave a 150-day continuance to fix deficiencies. Another continuance was granted in October 1983 after progress was shown.
The plan was resubmitted after further public review and adoption steps.
The 1984 CBEMP emerged as the product of more than five years of work, involving complex negotiations, delays, and high costs.
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In 1979, the Coos County Board of Commissioners decided to create a coordinated, intergovernmental estuary management plan to balance conservation and development.
The Coos Curry Council of Governments (CCCOG) was designated as lead agency and hired Wilsey and Ham to facilitate meetings and prepare documents. Later, CCCOG produced documents directly while Wilsey and Ham facilitated discussions.
An Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) was formed, with its first meeting on July 16, 1979. The IATF included local governments, state, and federal agencies, each with regulatory or planning authority.
After several drafts, the “Third Draft CBEMP” was released for public review in July 1982. Local adopt
History
Roles
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Advisory Body
Three committees (Steering, Citizen Advisory, and Technical Advisory) will oversee the drafting, review, and adoption process.
Click below to learn more about Committes members & responsibilities, and apply to fill a vacant position.
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Special Interest Groups
Special Interest Groups represent specific uses related to Coos Bay, such as commerical fishing, recreation, and conservation.
Click below to explore the different groups involved in the process, and how you can get involved.
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Community Members
Community members that live, work, or recreate near Coos Bay provide an important voice to inform this process.
Click below to explore ways that you can get involved and provide input as a community member.
Calendar
Use the calendar to explore past and upcoming meetings, review periods, and other events.
Resource Library
There are many resources that must be considered when updating an EMP, from foundational state guidance to the newest research in the region. Please use the accordion to identify specific documents.
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