Oregon's dramatic and beautiful coastline is the result of dynamic, natural forces of weather, climate, ocean waves and currents, and plate tectonics. These powerful forces continually shape the coast, creating an environment that is simultaneously impressive and dangerous. Historically, most developments on the Oregon coast were placed in less hazardous areas. As coastal towns grow in population, though, more developments are being proposed for hazardous areas, such as:
- Steep slopes,
- Ocean bluffs,
- Landslide-prone areas, and
- Low-lying areas subject to ocean flooding, coastal erosion, and tsunami inundation.
People may purchase or occupy developments in hazard prone areas with no knowledge of the risk.
In addition, scientists are continually refining their understanding of the potentially catastrophic forces of earthquakes and tsunamis, as well as the more gradual effects of sea level rise, coastal erosion, and other future conditions. The vulnerability of coastal communities to chronic and catastrophic forces is a concern to those who live, work, and recreate in those communities and to public officials responsible for community safety and well-being.
Oregon's statewide land use planning program requires local governments to plan for and make decisions that account for natural hazards known to be present in this active and dynamic environment. The Oregon Coastal Management Program (OCMP) provides resources (data, model codes, funding, outreach, etc.) for local governments, state agencies, homeowners, and others related to both chronic and catastrophic natural hazards. This page provides information about coastal hazards and resources for coastal hazard planning.
Planning and Regulations
On the coast, planning for coastal hazards is guided by Statewide Planning
Goal 7: Areas Subject to Natural Hazards;
Goal 17: Coastal Shorelands; and
Goal 18: Beaches and Dunes. These goals require local governments to identify and plan for the dynamic and potentially hazardous nature of coastal areas, particularly along the ocean shore. All cities and counties must account for areas subject to natural hazards in their comprehensive plans and associated ordinances.
The
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) manages Oregon’s ocean beaches under the authority of the
Beach Bill, enacted in 1967. OPRD regulates many uses along the ocean shore, west of the statutory vegetation line, including shoreline armoring, placement of stairways, and dune grading. These activities all require an
Ocean Shore Alteration Permit. This permit ensures that the activity complies with the applicable statewide planning goals and local land use planning program. the applicable statewide planning goals and local land use planning program.
Tsunami Inundation Zones
Although they happen infrequently,
tsunamis are a serious threat to the Oregon coast. The
Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) mapped tsunami inundation zones in coastal communities. The
maps are used by local governments to identify evacuation routes and areas where the development of critical and essential facilities and major structures are restricted.
Hazard Planning Resources
OCMP works closely with the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) to provide accurate, up-to-date, and scientifically-based information. Below are some examples of resources that may be helpful to local governments:
OCMP developed an online repository for coastal hazards resources that may be useful for coastal planners and residents. The site hosts links to data viewers, websites, funding sources, and publications on hazard topics, including tsunamis, coastal erosion, sea level rise, landslides, and wildfires. The data sources compiled in the clearinghouse are created at the local, state, and federal level.
The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) analyzed the ocean shores of Clatsop, Tillamook, Lincoln, and portions of Curry and Coos Counties to create detailed coastal erosion and hazards maps. The DOGAMI maps, mark areas of active, high, moderate, or low hazard risk along the coast. OCMP developed a
model ordinance for local governments that can be used in conjunction with the DOGAMI risk zone maps. This model code provides an innovative option for coastal hazards management within chronic coastal hazard erosion areas.
DOGAMI conducts beach and dune monitoring to show seasonal and year-to-year changes of shoreline profiles along the Oregon coast. This provides high-quality scientific information about changes to the beach that can be used by coastal managers, city and county planners, the geotechnical community, and local community members to plan for shoreline change. This program is central to state efforts to understand the effects, such as erosion or accretion of beaches and dunes, of future storms, impacts from El Niño events, and to predict long-term change.
Goal 18 limits construction of shoreline protective structures to development that existed prior to January 1, 1977. Because it is often difficult to determine whether a property was "developed" at that time, OCMP has developed a GIS-based tool to help local governments determine whether a parcel is eligible for shorefront protection. The tool is available online for the entire Oregon coast. Local jurisdictions may consider adopting the eligibility inventory into their land use program; OCMP staff can assist with this.
OCMP created a Tsunami Land Use Guide that provides model code and comprehensive plan policy language to assist coastal jurisdictions plan for and mitigate the impacts of a future Cascadia event. Find out more about how OCMP is assisting local communities in building their resilience to a local tsunami event:
Tsunami Planning.
Interagency Planning
OCMP staff co-chairs the interagency Coastal Processes and Hazards Working Group (CPHWG) that focuses on shoreline hazards, threats to public facilities, and changing conditions due to climate change and sea level rise. The CPHWG is a coordination and outreach mechanism for local, state, and federal agencies, industry, and interest groups to share information across programs and projects. The CPHWG has produced two geologic guideline documents related to
new development on oceanfront properties and
shoreline protection structures.
Education
OCMP and its partners conduct coastal hazard education and outreach efforts for the full range of chronic and catastrophic coastal hazards. Outreach techniques include
publications, regional and local
workshops, and video. OCMP and Oregon Sea Grant produced a video called
Living on the Edge, Buying and Building Property on the Oregon Coast which can be viewed on
YouTube.
Visit the
Natural Hazards Planning page to learn more about natural hazards and hazard mitigation in Oregon.