History and Progression

The Coos Bay Estuary Management Plan (CBEMP) represents more than four decades of collaborative planning to balance environmental protection with economic development. First adopted in 1984, the Plan established a coordinated, intergovernmental framework to reduce permitting conflicts, improve regulatory certainty, and protect critical estuary resources while supporting responsible growth.

The original plan was developed through an extensive consensus-based process involving local governments and state and federal agencies. While time-consuming and complex, this collaborative approach created a durable foundation for coordinated land use and resource management across the estuary.

Over time, changing community needs, environmental conditions, and regulatory requirements have made updates necessary. Beginning in 2015, regional partners evaluated how to modernize the Plan and concluded that incremental updates would be the most practical path forward.

A partial update initiated in 2024 represents the first step toward a broader modernization effort. These updates are intended to ensure the CBEMP remains responsive to today’s environmental science, community priorities, and economic opportunities while maintaining the cooperative spirit that has guided the Plan since its inception.

Committees

The Coos Bay Estuary Management Plan (CBEMP) is supported by three essential advisory committees—Steering, Technical, and Citizen Advisory—which are integral to implementing the Citizen Involvement Program as required by Section 2, Policies #36 and #39 of the CBEMP. In alignment with Oregon Statewide Planning Goal 1, these committees work collaboratively to provide strategic leadership, technical expertise, and community insights that ensure the public plays an active role in land-use planning of the Coos Bay Estuary Management Plan. 

Advisory Committees and Public Participation

The management agreement also establishes an inclusive public process through advisory committees, which will inform and advise a Steering Committee representing the three jurisdictions:

• Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) – Represents community members, civic organizations, cultural interests, property owners, and business stakeholders.
• Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) – Provides expertise from state and federal agencies, natural resource scientists, and regulatory authorities.
• Steering Committee – Comprised of representatives from Coos County, Coos Bay, and North Bend, with input from the CAC and TAC, to guide the update process.

Importantly, these committees were not designed to be an ongoing financial burden to any one local government. They are expected to be self-supporting, with members contributing their expertise, time, and resources to the process. This structure ensures that local governments are not unduly burdened with staffing or funding obligations beyond their shared role in overseeing the Plan.