About Estuaries

An estuary is a partially enclosed, coastal water body where freshwater from rivers and streams mixes with salt water from the ocean. Estuaries, and their surrounding lands, are places of transition from land to sea. Thousands of species of birds, mammals, fish and other wildlife depend on estuarine habitats as places to live, feed and reproduce. Healthy estuaries are essential to vibrant communities and their economies. They are an irreplaceable natural resource that must be managed carefully for the mutual benefit of all who enjoy and depend on them.

Yaquina Bay, where the Yaquina River meets the Pacific Ocean, is one of Oregon’s 22 major estuaries and is essential to the area’s cultural, ecological, and economic future. The Lincoln County Estuary Management Plan is intended to guide development and protection of local estuaries, but the plan is 40 years old and needs to be updated to address emerging issues like climate change.

What we are doing

Yaquina Bay Estuary from Oregon Coastal Atlas

We are engaged with other conservation and community groups, local businesses, government agencies, and the tribes in a process to update the Yaquina Estuary Management Plan (YEMP). Our involvement in the following activities helps ensure that birds, wildlife, and their habitats are protected. We are:

  • Participating as a member of the YEMP Advisory Group

  • Coordinating on conservation strategies with other groups

  • Advocating that sea level rise, ocean acidification, and other climate change vulnerabilities be incorporated into the updated plan

  • Reviewing and commenting on a needs and gaps assessment and drafting plan updates

  • Organizing a workshop to inform the public on how to be an effective voice in the plan update

What’s next?

A major focus of the plan update is to make it consistent with Oregon’s Statewide Planning Goal 16: Estuarine Resources that provides guidance for the planning and management of Oregon's estuaries. 

The objective of Goal 16 is to "recognize and protect the unique environmental, economic and social values of each estuary and associated wetlands; and to protect, maintain, where appropriate develop, and where appropriate restore the long term environmental, economic and social values, diversity and benefits of Oregon’s estuaries." 

Tasks within the plan update process include:

  • Create digital maps based on updated data and mapping methods

  • Engage the community for input on needs and feedback on the plan

  • Incorporate climate change and best available science

  • Develop a guidance document for use on management plans for other estuaries in Oregon based on lessons learned.

Get involved!

The County and the consultants updating the plan need to hear from those that live, work on, and love the Yaquina estuary. Speak up at one of a series of town hall meetings this summer to inform and get feedback on the updated draft plan.

On June 28, 6-7:30 PM, ASLC and Oregon Shores are co-hosting an online webinar on how you can be most effective in helping ensure the updated plan protects birds, wildlife, water quality, and habitat in the Yaquina estuary while also meeting other community needs and uses. Register here!

Sign up for project updates or share your thoughts about what matters to you about the Yaquina estuary by visiting the interactive Yaquina Estuary Management Plan website!

Take action now to let your state legislators know that you do not support exemptions for special interests from land use planning and environmental regulations.

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