Engaging Recreational Users in Marine Spatial Planning

Pete Stauffer Surfrider Foundation TCS/ RAE 2014 Conference

Surfrider Foundation

• 84 chapters & 250,000 members/ supporters in the United States • Protection of oceans, waves, and beaches • Membership includes surfers, divers, kayakers, and beach-goers

Non-Consumptive Recreational Use Coastal & Marine Spatial Planning

“A process that brings together multiple users of the ocean – including energy, industry, government, conservation and recreation – to make informed and coordinated decisions about how to use marine resources sustainably” Ecological

Social Economic Ocean Planning in the United States The Challenge of Public Engagement

Building the Recreational User Coalition!

• beach going • surfing • snorkel • wildlife viewing • kayaking • scuba diving • scenic enjoyment • swimming • windsurfing • photography • skim boarding • kite boarding • camping • padding • parasailing

Washington Marine Spatial Planning

Engaging Recreation Users in the Planning Process

• Outreach on public process & how to engage • Collaborate with recreation groups and businesses • Promote public meetings • Data collection/ studies • Review mapping layers and draft scenarios • Consensus building & outreach with other sectors

Mid-Atlantic Coastal and Ocean Recreation Study

Case Study: Oregon Territorial Sea Planning

• Comprehensive Plan to inform renewable ocean energy development • Surfrider Participation on TSP Advisory Committee • Conducted Study: Oregon Non-consumptive Recreation Ocean Use” Panel Last Trip Data Results: Shore Group Stakeholder review and feedback: qualitative data

Recreational Protection Standard “The State shall protect recreational resources as a beneficial use of the Territorial Sea”

-No adverse significant impact on areas of high recreational use Access, health and safety impacts, changes to natural environment

*Areas of High Use - Community of historical use - High intensity - Unique or special quality