The Oregon Coast is still a scenic wonder. I drove south on US 101 a while back and was thrilled by the vistas of the Pacific and several chasm crossings on bridges that were designed by men who wanted to build handsome as well as functional structures. But the fine scenery and good bridge design mask a truth about the Oregon coast. It is an economically depressed area. The economies of coastal towns were once fueled by logging and fishing. Logging has substantially declined caused in part by new forest management rules and protection for endangered species. Commercial fishing is confronted with drastically reduced catches as a result of too much human exploitation. The state cancelled the commercial salmon fishing season this year because less than a third of the Chinook salmon are returning to the Willamette River compared to three years ago. Governor Ted Kulongoski enters this scene of shrinking livelihoods with a controversial proposal. He wants to create nine marine reserves along the Oregon coast to save, and hopefully rejuvenate, dwindling numbers of bottom fish in Oregon's territorial waters. According to local fisherman, the Governor is attempting to impose his environmental legacy on coastal communities. Marine reserves are already established in Washington and California, but they are a tough sell in provincial Oregon despite the state's trendy "green" image. No one appears to dispute that commercial and recreational fishing have devastated near shore habitats. Of forty three ground fish species found within the three mile limit, only two, yelloweye rockfish and canary rockfish, have been studied. Both are considered over fished. Sea otters are gone as well as scallops and healthy ocean perch. The signs of environmental stress are unmistakable. Establishing no fishing zones would give hard pressed habitats and fish a chance to recover. Reserves would be small in comparison to the total territorial sea of 1200 square miles. If nine reserves are established, they would cover only 13.5 square miles of sea[1]. None would be located near ports or prime fishing areas according to the state Fish and Wildlife Department. The Governor says he will only consider proposed designations supported by local communities. Despite these reassurances, coastal communities made their objections to no fishing in marine reserves clear at town meetings recently concluded. Kulongoski has the right idea. Marine reserves would allow more needed research on temperate undersea habitats and also give marine species a reprieve from total destruction. If marine reserves are to be the Governor's political legacy to Oregon, it is a worthy one.[1] The Oregonian, March 5, 2008