Oregon governor wants marine sanctuary for whole coast

[Thom Little]

Gov. Ted Kulongoski is urging the conversion of Oregon's entire coastline into a national marine sanctuary to head off oil exploration and other activities that could harm natural and scenic values.

In a letter to Oregon's congressional delegation, Kulongoski said the move would allow state and federal agencies to work with fishermen, tribes, recreational users and others to protect the ecosystem.

Oregon's jurisdiction extends three nautical miles from the beach. The sanctuary proposal would extend protection an average of about 25 miles to cover the continental shelf.

It would be the nation's first such sanctuary. He said the proposal is a "starting point."


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