Draft letter supporting designation of marine reserves on the Oregon Coast

[Date]

Dear Governor Kitzhaber,

I am writing in support of the Oregon Ocean Policy Advisory Committee’s recommended marine reserve sites at Cape Falcon, Cape Perpetua, and Cascade Head. OPAC’s marine reserves will help our coastal ecosystems to weather the impacts of climate change. Please give your full support and leadership in designating Oregon’s Ocean Policy Advisory Committee’s recommended network of marine reserves.

Marine reserves protect ocean habitats, biodiversity, and increase fish size and abundance. Marine reserves are scientifically proven strategies for safeguarding and restoring ailing marine ecosystems. The OPAC network of reserves will protect three ecologically important areas that are representative of Oregon’s coastal marine communities. These reserves will allow plants and animals to flourish and reproduce, creating “ecological savings accounts.” Marine reserves build in resiliency to our coastal ecosystems against the impacts of climate change, ocean acidification, as well as increased demand for fresh seafood.

As a person of faith and a member of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Portland Oregon, I believe we are called to be good stewards of our environment. Oregon’s State Waters are managed in the public trust, so we all share responsibility for how our ocean is managed regardless of where we live. I strongly support Oregon’s Marine Reserve Process and ask you for quick designation of the OPAC recommendation. Thank you for your considerable service and leadership on this issue.

Sincerely,

[Signature

Name

Street

City, State, Zip Code]

December 3, 2011

Dear Friend,

After a decade of hard work, careful study, and strong community engagement, Oregon’s ocean protection efforts are at a tipping point. We now have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to build a system of marine reserves and protected areas that will safeguard the bounty and beauty of Oregon’s coast for generations to come.

Please urge Governor Kitzhaber to implement the Ocean Policy Advisory Committee’s December 2010 unanimous recommendation to designate marine reserve sites at Cape Falcon, Cascade Head, and Cape Perpetua. Ask that he honor the decisions made by coastal volunteers and marine scientists who last year invested 25,000 volunteer hours in public meetings to come to these recommendations.

Volunteer community teams produced plans that drew boundaries around ecologically important areas and proposed management measures to protect these critical places. The new reserves will allow plants and animals to flourish and reproduce—creating “ecological savings accounts.”

These common sense recommendations are needed now more than ever. Population increases, habitat destruction, climate change, increased demand for fresh seafood, and other pressures are growing by the year, and ocean systems need a lifeline in order to survive and thrive into the future.

We all share responsibility for conserving and restoring Oregon’s marine habitats and resources. They are a key part of our natural and cultural heritage, and together we can ensure their long-term sustainability and a healthy ocean legacy for our kids and grandkids. As a member of St. Michael and all Angels, I strongly support Oregon’s Marine Reserve Process and ask for quick designation of the OPAC recommendation.

Send your letter now! Ask Governor Kitzhaber to honor Oregon’s Marine Reserve Community Teams’ work and designate these new marine reserve sites. Governor Kitzhaber’s email address is Governor@state.or.us.

Thank you for your ongoing support!

Meg Ruby, St. Michael’s Green Team

Dear Governor Kitzhaber,

Sincerely,

Suggested TEMPATE #2:

Letter of Support

Dear Governor Kitzhaber,

I write to you today asking for your support and leadership in designating Oregon’s Ocean Policy Advisory Committee’s recommended marine reserve sites at Cape Falcon, Cascade Head, and Cape Perpetua.

Oregon’s State Waters are managed in the public trust – so we all share responsibility for how our ocean is managed regardless of where we live. As a member of the Oregon League of minority voters, I strongly support Oregon’s Marine Reserve Process and stand with Our Ocean in asking you for quick designation of the OPAC recommendation.

Governor, in 2000 you began Oregon’s marine reserve process. Since then, 25,000 volunteer hours have been spent by conservationists, fishermen, scientists, and local leaders crafting a plan that protects these special places in a way that allows all stakeholders to move forward together. Unfortunately, the state has yet to honor their work and designate the sites.

These common sense protections are needed now. Volunteers from all over the state have done well through this process and it is time to finalize the designation. These ecologically important areas will allow plants and animals to flourish and reproduce—creating “ecological savings accounts.” Habitat destruction, increased demand for fresh seafood, climate change, and other pressures are growing by the year, and ocean ecosystems need a scientifically proven strategy to survive and thrive into the future.

Please respect the work of your citizen volunteers and designate marine reserves at Cape Falcon, Cascade Head, and Cape Perpetua. Together, we can chart a course toward a brighter ocean future for our kids and grandkids. Thank you for your continued support and leadership at this crucial point of this process.

Sincerely,

[Name,
Address]