Oregon’s most successful ocean conservation program is now even better

This week, legislators passed HB4132 and reinvested Oregon in our ocean and nearshore ecosystems in the process.

March 6, 2024

Joe Liebezeit, Bird Alliance of Oregon | Used by permission

This week, Oregon Representatives and Senators reinvested Oregonians in their ocean when they passed HB4132.

HB4132 allocates just under $1 million for the next biennium for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to bolster the Marine Reserves Program. Most notably, it outlines a process to create an adaptive management plan, so that our five marine reserves can be better managed in the face of ever-changing ocean conditions like sea level rise and ocean acidification. In addition, it also provides an opportunity to better educate and engage Oregonians with the wonders beneath their waves.

The bill passed unanimously out of the House on Monday with a vote of 55-0 in favor of bolstering the Marine Reserves Program. On Wednesday, it passed out of the Senate 26-3 and is now off to Governor Kotek’s desk for signing.

Throughout the 2024 legislative session, thousands of Oregonians, conservation groups and legislators weighed in on the bill and clearly wanted to see our most successful conservation program made even better. With the passage of HB4132, that’s on the horizon.

Ian Giancarlo, Environment Oregon’s Oceans Advocate had this to say about HB4132’s passage. “By passing HB 4132, Oregon legislators have responded to the waves of support for our Marine Reserves Program – Oregon’s most successful ocean conservation program. Now, a more robust program is on the horizon which will benefit the whales, seals, and seabirds that call our ocean home. We look forward to Governor Kotek signing this important bill.”