2006 Conference Wrap-up

At the close of the day’s meeting, Dr. George H. Keller, master of ceremonies, gave a summation of the Conference. Here, somewhat abbreviated, are his thoughts:

“One word typifies from what I get from your comments, and that is “balance.” Don’t do anything to mess up all the other resources that we have.“

“It is clear there is a very strong interest in wave energy. If we have a way to collect a new source of energy, we should do that. If this is it, let’s get on with it, but don’t damage the environment.”

“Don’t mess up the fisheries. If you are going to set up a reserve, maybe it ought to be around one of these wave energy parks—that sort of thing. But there are a lot of “ifs” and questions as to where you go with any of these programs.”

“I’m totally amazed, and I am so pleased, honestly, because of your concerns. We need to make that readily aware of our leaders in state, local government and on up the line. Because if you don’t live it, you don’t know it. As Terry said, ‘If you don’t go to sea, you don’t what swells are.’ It’s knowing what’s out there and what can happen because of our interactions in that environment.”

“In earlier years, jetties were put up, before we really understood what we were doing, the problems that they caused. With wave energy, let’s start relatively small so we can see how in the environment the technology is really going to work before we plan a big park. We need to look up and down the coast to see what infrastructure is already in place before we start building something new.”

“On the point of the governor’s proposal for sanctuaries, the point is, ‘Please, governor, don’t lock up the whole coast.’ Let’s look at special areas. Let’s look at reserves. Could we have a number of those, rather than outline and limit our whole coast and adjacent sea as well?”

“The point, again, that was made by most of you was: ‘Let’s not try to do an entire Oregon margin. Let’s start in smaller pieces.’”

Acknowledgements

The Conference is indebted to the fourteen speakers who took the time to travel to Florence and provide professional advice on these important issues. Further, we appreciate the work of James W. Good in arranging the program.

The organization and management of the Conference has been performed by the Board of Directors of Heceta Head Coastal Conference, Inc. The Board members are: Craig McMicken, Lea Patten, Terry Newell, and Ken Rystrom. They have been assisted by a committee of sixteen others.

The Conference has been supported by grants from the Western Lane Community Foundation and from Lane County Tourism Special Projects. As a public service, Davis, McCulloch & Holloway, LLC have provided financial accounting.

Conference Notes

Attendance 170 persons registered plus fourteen speakers and six guests, for a total attendance of 190. Of those registering, 103 were from Florence, 41 from coastal cities, 25 from the valley, and one out-of-state; half (85) attended last year’s Conference.

Feedback from Attendees About half (99) of those in attendance filled out questionnaires, showing:

• 83% rated the Conference good or excellent.
• 87% approved the format of speaker panels, and questions from the audience.
• 94% rated the cost ($35) as reasonable or very reasonable.
• 88% said they would likely attend the Conference next year.

 

(Note: The 3rd Annual Heceta Head Coastal Conference will be held October 27, 2007)