The Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) is seeking volunteers to serve as members of a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) for a specific rulemaking effort the department is leading this fall. The rulemaking will be focused on creating an exception process to allow structural shoreline protection for public, ocean-fronting roads built prior to 1977.
Overview of Rulemaking: The proposed rulemaking will be narrowly focused to provide a specific option for public roads and highways (such as Highway 101) along the oceanfront to seek protection from coastal erosion through shoreline armoring permits. This rulemaking would be directed to address public roads built prior to 1977 through a local government goal exception process. Shoreline armoring is the placement of structural material on the oceanfront with the intention of minimizing the risk of coastal erosion to development (e.g., riprap, seawalls). Under the existing rule language, roads are not eligible for shoreline armoring. Some sections of state Highway 101 are oceanfront and vulnerable to the hazards of coastal erosion. This highway, which was built in the 1960s, is an essential lifeline road that connects coastal communities and provides links to the rest of the State. In some cases, the use of shoreline armoring for the road’s protection may be warranted.
Rules Advisory Committee: Members of the RAC (10-15 members) will provide guidance and suggestions during the development of new rules and the fiscal impact associated with the proposed rulemaking. Meetings will be held via videoconference. The following are the primary responsibilities of each RAC member:
- Attend all RAC meetings between early September and early November 2021 (approximately three meetings, three hours each meeting). All meetings will be held virtually.
- Review all meeting materials ahead of RAC meetings.
- Represent their interest(s) and participate fully in discussions to advise DLCD on proposed rule language and fiscal impacts of the proposed rule.
DLCD is striving to ensure this RAC reflects the interests and stakeholders that could potentially be impacted by the proposed rule. Because this rulemaking is specific to the Oregon coast, we are looking for members who live, work, or have a specific interest in the coast. In addition, the agency has defined these priority interests for recruitment for the RAC:
- Public transportation
- Tourism sector
- Commerce
- Coastal recreation
- Senior and/or retired persons
- Emergency management
- Civic organizations
- Environmental or conservation groups
- State and local government
- Public works
- Small businesses
- Academia
- People with Limited English Proficiency
- People living with disabilities
- Low Income Oregonians
- Youth (Under 25)
DLCD staff will review applications and make decisions for RAC appointments in early August 2021. All applicants will be notified of the department’s decisions after that time.
“If you are interested in serving as a RAC member, please complete the application, located on the DLCD website: https://www.oregon.gov/lcd/
Applications are due by midnight on July 30, 2021.
Questions? Contact Meg Reed at 541-514-0091 or meg.reed@dlcd.oregon.gov.
For more information about Goal 18, visit: https://www.oregon.gov/lcd/OP/
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Oregon’s statewide land use planning program — originated in 1973 under Senate Bill 100 — protects farm and forest lands, conserves natural resources, promotes livable communities, facilitates orderly and efficient development, helps coordination among local governments, and enables citizen involvement.
The program affords all Oregonians predictability and sustainability to the development process by allocating land for industrial, commercial and housing development, as well as transportation and agriculture.
The Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) administers the program. A seven-member volunteer citizen board known as the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) guides DLCD.
Under the program, all cities and counties have adopted comprehensive plans that meet mandatory state standards. The standards are 19 Statewide Planning Goals that deal with land use, development, housing, transportation, and conservation of natural resources. Periodic review of plans and technical assistance in the form of grants to local jurisdictions are key elements of the program.
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Contributed by: Department of Land and Conservation Development