The Ocean Policy Advisory Council

 

What is the OPAC?

The Oregon Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) is a legislatively mandated marine policy advisory body to provide, among other statutory charges, advice to the Governor, state agencies and local governments on ocean policy and resource management matters (ORS 196.433). OPAC membership is made up of representatives from coastal community interests, state agencies, conservation interests and the general public. Meetings of OPAC are usually held in communities along the Oregon coast. The OPAC operates following the policies and procedures established by the Council and recorded in their pdf Policies and Procedures document (38 KB) , which are summarized in a pdf set of slides (605 KB) .   

 

OPAC Meetings are open to the public and we invite all interested parties to attend meetings and give comment. View the Upcoming OPAC Events to the right of the page or visit the Current Events section below for information on upcoming OPAC meetings and other activities.

 

 

Structure of the OPAC

Much of OPAC’s work is performed within smaller working groups: Click here to read more about OPAC's Working groups.

  • Executive Committee
  • Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC)
  • Federal Liaison Committee
  • Territorial Sea Plan Part Four Working Group (TSP4WG)  

These groups have no added authority over OPAC itself. The topical working groups are ad hoc subgroups and are named to address specific issues. Members of these groups are members of OPAC or may be any other individuals with knowledge of the issues. All decisions and positions of OPAC are developed and made or taken by the entire council. 

Current Roster of OPAC members and their contact information.https://www.oregonocean.info/index.php/opac-documents/2668-opac-members-june-2022

 

Executive Committee

The OPAC Executive Committee is defined in the Operating Procedures as the Chair, Vice Chair, STAC Chair, Governor's Office Representative and an At-Large Voting OPAC Member. These individuals are presently Susan Chambers, Tara Brock, Karina Nielsen, Jason Miner, and a Jamie Fereday. The Executive Committee meets between OPAC meetings to develop agendas for the larger group, and to address other administrative issues as needed.   

Federal Liaison Committee

The OPAC Federal Liaison Committee was created to improve communications between the council and federal agencies with ocean responsibilities. OPAC can get opinions on pending OPAC positions or decisions from the federal perspective and also be kept up to date on federal initiatives. The committee members need to be determined, as it has been years since it met.  Kris Wall (NOAA OCM) has functioned in the role of the primary Liaison to the Council. 

Territorial Sea Plan Part Four Working Group (TSP4WG)  

OPAC has established a Territorial Sea Plan Working Group: Rocky Habitat Management as a technical advisory committee to conduct the review and to draft amendment recommendations for its consideration. The Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) will assist OPAC as required under ORS 196.435, and will administer the TSPWG meetings.

The Territorial Sea Plan (TSP) Working Group was originally chartered at the May 22, 2008 OPAC meeting, and reestablished at the December 3rd 2015 meeting. The Working Group was charged with developing a set of recommendations for updates to the Territorial Sea Plan, which will be specifically focused on making recommendations regarding updates to the Rocky Habitat Management Strategy.