Oregon Begins Review of Territorial Sea Plan

The state is updating its marine resource management policy to address modern climate and environmental challenges.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in National Parks

Oregon Begins Review of Territorial Sea Plan

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Should Oregon prioritize updated environmental protections for its coastal waters over new offshore energy developments?

The Oregon Department of State Lands has launched a formal review of the Territorial Sea Plan to modernize regulations governing three nautical miles of the Pacific coastline. The update follows the original 1994 framework and aims to address emerging issues like ocean acidification.

Why it matters

The review seeks to improve marine ecosystem protections and clarify resource management that the aging 30-year-old plan does not currently cover. Strengthening these policies is a response to environmental shifts including hypoxia and rising concerns over seafloor usage.

The current plan encompasses 3 nautical miles of ocean along the coast and has been in effect for 30 years across five basic management sections. The review process will incorporate input from approximately 100 community and agency stakeholders.

The players

Oregon Department of State Lands

This state agency manages various public lands and is the primary entity overseeing the Territorial Sea Plan review process.

Ocean Policy Advisory Council

This council serves as an advisory body to the state on marine resource management and is responsible for drafting the updated plan recommendations.

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

This federal agency is responsible for managing energy and mineral resources on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf.

The details

The Ocean Policy Advisory Council is tasked with drafting recommendations for the plan, which will include evaluating seafloor uses and potential renewable energy developments. This effort follows the 2024 cancellation of an offshore wind energy auction by the federal government near Coos Bay and Brookings.

1967: Legislators enacted the Beach Bill.
1994: Oregon developed the original Territorial Sea Plan.
2024: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management canceled offshore wind auction.
October 2026 to August 2027: Council meetings to draft plan recommendations.

Travel Outlook

The plan review marks a significant shift in how Oregon manages its coastal corridor, mirroring the protections established by the 1967 Beach Bill. This evolution reflects the broader need to balance traditional public use with contemporary ecological and energy development demands.

Coastal residents and visitors should anticipate potential changes to local recreational access and marine usage regulations as the council holds nine meetings. These policy shifts may eventually impact how seafloor resources and renewable energy projects are managed in local waters.

The takeaway

The multi-year review process invites public participation to help shape the future of Oregon's coastline protection. Readers interested in environmental policy should track council meeting schedules through 2027 to provide input on proposed seafloor management regulations.