Looking to the Future
The ultimate goal of the Nearshore Strategy is to help guide actions that will conserve ecological functions and nearshore resources that provide long-term ecological, economic, and social benefits for current and future generation of Oregonians. Each of the recommendations in the Nearshore Strategy includes details on tasks, partners, timing, and funding for implementation of the suggested action(s). Although the range of potential actions has been substantially narrowed to the 12 recommendations presented in the Nearshore Strategy, there are still too many to undertake simultaneously. Priorities will be established based on urgency, importance, and links to other ongoing or scheduled activities. Furthermore, ODFW does not have the capacity to address all of the recommendations, so initiatives by and partnerships with other entities will be essential.
Some actions, such as marine planning, ongoing engagement of public stakeholders, and a variety of research and monitoring efforts are already underway. Additional implementation of the recommendations will begin immediately following final approval of this initial Strategy. Input from both internal and external sources is critical in prioritizing and guiding implementation of the recommendations and monitoring programs to track their success.
State Wildlife Grant (SWG) funding is anticipated to be available for future Nearshore Strategy actions, but may be limited in duration. Some recommendations or parts thereof will be implemented regardless of SWG funding, based on priorities and current levels of other funding sources. Increased funding is essential for successful implementation of all Nearshore Strategy recommendations. Obtaining additional funding to augment implementation of the Nearshore Strategy will be a priority for all interested parties.
Review of the Nearshore Strategy
ODFW staff will report annually to the Oregon Fish & Wildlife Commission on Strategy status, relevance to current nearshore resource issues and priorities, and implementation of its recommendations. It will provide a means of assessing implementation progress and effectiveness on an ongoing basis, and adapting to changing conditions. Public input on current resource issues will be continually taken under consideration to adjust priorities.
One of the eight required elements of the SWG program is to include procedures to review and update the State Wildlife Action Plan at least every ten years. ODFW will lead a full and comprehensive review of the Oregon Conservation Strategy and Oregon Nearshore Strategy and engage stakeholders and representatives of other state and federal agencies and tribes within that time period. The documents will be updated for consistency with current resource issues, state policies, scientific information, and public interest. On completion of the formal review, an updated version of the Nearshore Strategy that meets all eight required elements and includes an explanation of all modifications made will be presented to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service no later than October 1, 2025.