Item 2D: Adoption of Resolution Endorsing Ocean-Marine Reserves

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ATTACHMENT A RESOLUTION NO. ______ A RESOLUTION ENDORSING OCEAN-MARINE RESERVES. The City Council of the City of Eugene finds that: A. The City Council of the City of Eugene recognizes that a system of marine protected areas, including marine reserves, are management tools that ensure the health and sustainability of Oregon’s ocean for current and future generations. B. The Governor’s Executive Order 08-07 directed the Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) to recommend sites for consideration as marine reserves that, individually or collectively, are large enough to allow scientific evaluation of ecological benefits, but small enough to avoid significant economic or social impacts. C. OPAC has recommended that six areas move forward for further consideration for development as marine reserves. Specifically, OPAC recommended that Otter Rock and Redfish Rocks be designated as pilot marine reserves, but that the other four areas (Cape Falcon, Cascade Head, Cape Perpetua and the Cape Arago region) require additional time for ecological and socioeconomic information to be gathered, and require further collaboration among ocean users, coastal communities, and other interested parties. D. On July 1, 2009, House Bill 3013 became effective. The Bill directed that the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) implement OPAC’s recommendations on marine reserves and develop a marine reserves work plan. E. ODFW has developed a marine reserves work plan in consultation with scientists, relevant state agencies, ocean users, coastal communities, and the general public. The plan consists of two major sections which: (1) outline work to be conducted for the Otter Rock and Redfish Rocks pilot sites; and (2) outline work for further evaluation of Cape Falcon, Cascade Head, Cape Perpetua and the Cape Arago region. F. Oregon’s marine waters are a vital and treasured resource, and the City of Eugene should endorse the establishment of a marine reserve system. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EUGENE, a Municipal Corporation of the State of Oregon, as follows: Section 1 . The City Council of the City of Eugene recognizes the importance of maintaining a healthy ocean environment and, therefore, endorses OPAC’s recommendations on marine reserves and ODFW’s implementation of OPAC’s recommendations and development of a marine reserves work plan. Resolution - Page 1 of 2