Summary
The legislature passed Senate Bill 504 in 2025. This bill directs the Land Conservation and Development Commission to adopt rules that allow, define, and guide the use of nonstructural, nature-based solutions for shoreline stabilization in estuaries, coastal shorelands, and the ocean shore.
The Oregon Coast is highly dynamic. The built and natural environments along the coast are exposed to constant and ongoing natural processes such as erosion, sand accretion, storm and wave activity, and changes in sea level. A frequent tactic for mitigating the impacts of coastal processes on human development is the construction of shoreline stabilization structures designed to reduce erosion, wave attack, and flooding. There are various types of shoreline stabilization methods. Some methods mimic natural processes, have limited impacts on the landscape, and may increase habitat availability. Other methods are considered structural and are engineered to remain in place. These structures can have negative impacts associated with them.
Statewide Planning Goals 16 (Estuarine Resources), 17 (Coastal Shorelands), and 18 (Beaches and Dunes) address and limit the use of structural shoreline stabilization solutions due to their potential for negative impacts to the surrounding landscape, ecosystem, and recreational uses of the environment. The most common structural shoreland stabilization methods on the Oregon coast are seawalls and riprap revetments. The use of nonstructural nature-based solutions, such as vegetative stabilization, dune enhancement, and cobble beaches, is allowable and preferred under Goals 16, 17, and 18. However, none of the goals contain definitions for structural shoreline stabilization or nonstructural nature-based solutions. Likewise, the coastal goals do not currently provide detailed guidance for how and when these methods should be used instead of structural solutions. As directed by SB 504, this rulemaking effort will seek to address the current gaps in the coastal goals regarding the definition and preferred use of nonstructural nature-based solutions within Oregon's coastal zone.
Current Status
LCDC initiated rulemaking on this topic on June 25, 2026. The commission staff report includes more information about the rulemaking, and the rulemaking charge.
Rulemaking Advisory Committee Information
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The RAC will provide input on draft rules to define and guide the use of nonstructural, structural, and hybrid shoreline stabilization methods for local governments and state agencies to use in land use planning and permitting decisions.
Roster of RAC members
RAC meeting schedule:
The first RAC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 10th from 1-4 p.m. You can view the meeting live or recorded at DLCD's YouTube channel.
Staff will prepare a packet of materials that RAC members will be expected to review in advance of each RAC meeting.
RAC Meeting #1 - September 10, 2026 from 1-4 p.m.
Materials
RAC Meeting #2 - October 15, 2026 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
RAC Meeting #3 - November 12, 2026 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
RAC Meeting #4 - January 22, 2027 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
RAC Meeting #5 - March 5, 2027 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
RAC Meeting #6 - May 14, 2027 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Questions about the RAC or general questions about the rulemaking? Contact coastal.policy@dlcd.oregon.gov.