Newport adopts Oregon Coast’s first new estuary management plan in decades

Newport is the first city on the Oregon Coast to adopt a new estuary management plan in more than 40 years. The city jointly manages the Yaquina Bay Estuary with Lincoln County and the city of Toledo. The three entities use the plan to determine what kind of development can happen in what parts of the estuary. 

The updated version requires developers to perform climate vulnerability assessments for all projects in the estuary. It also includes a commitment from Newport city leaders to revisit the plan and update it periodically as the estuary faces new climate impacts, such as rising sea levels and warming ocean temperatures. 

Annie Merrill is the estuaries and ocean manager for the Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition. She joins us to talk more about estuaries and the risks they face in a changing climate.