Implementing the Rocky Habitat Management Strategy
Managing Oregon's rocky coastline is a shared responsibility. In the fall of 2018, the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) gathered decision makers across the state to begin an amendment to the Rocky Habitat Management Strategy (Part Three) of the Oregon Territorial Sea Plan (TSP). The plan acts as a coordinated vision for marine resources in Oregon and guides the actions of state and federal agencies that are responsible for managing coastal and ocean resources in the public trust.
Five years later, on April 20, 2023, the Land Conservation and Development Commission unanimously adopted an amendment to Part Three. The decision completed a process that added eight new management areas that reflect the needs of the communities that proposed them. Rocky Habitat Management Areas focus on balancing use and conservation through the enhancement of visitor experiences with education and interpretation to limit wildlife disturbance and habitat degradation.
The designations completed a multiple year effort led by the Ocean Policy Advisory Council to revise the Management Strategy and was focused on site management designations along areas of Oregon’s iconic rocky shoreline. The effort included extensive input from agencies, organizations, governments, and general rocky coast users on revisions to the Plan.
Newly Designated Rocky Habitat Sites (listed from north to south):
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Rocky Habitat Site Management Plan Development Process
The Oregon Coastal Management Program (OCMP) hosted a two-part public workshop series in 2024 and 2025 to develop rocky habitat site management plans for the eight newly designated rocky habitat protected areas. Public meetings were held that provided an opportunity to listen to professionals and volunteers whose work involves rocky intertidal habitats to share feedback with program staff.
The workshop series was designed to inform the development of area-based management plans for each site. The OCMP hosted five workshops in the Fall 2024, followed by the second series in the Spring of 2025.
The first workshop series was intended for professionals and volunteers with interest or experience in rocky habitats, local jurisdictions, coastal tribal staff, state and federal agency staff, and other interested parties. Members of the public were able to contribute to this public planning effort by contacting the Rocky Habitat Projects Coordinator, participating in the workshops, providing written comments, or by providing public comment at the workshops.
The second workshop series focused on generation of recommended objectives and actions appropriate for individual site management plans. Strategies for building capacity in communities, Tribes, and government agencies was discussed with a focus on working to implement rocky habitat management strategies.
Following the workshops, the department generated draft management plans that were then made available for a period of review and comment. Comments were received from agencies and community organizations and the plans were amended based upon that input. The plans are now available and will serve as living documents that can be updated as necessary.
Archival Rocky Habitats Planning Documents Folder
The Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development maintains this website. Please contact the Marine Affairs Coordinator below for more information or with comments.
Andy Lanier
Marine Affairs Coordinator
635 Capitol St. NE, Suite 150
Salem, OR 97301-2540
Andy.Lanier@dlcd.oregon.gov