DLCD and Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians awarded Bipartisan Infrastructure Funding for Coastal Resilience

$2.01 Million Awarded for Conservation on Oregon’s Central Coast

SALEM – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded the Oregon Coastal Management Program (OCMP) at the Department of Land Conservation and Development’s (DLCD) a $2.01 million grant for the conservation of an iconic coastal headland through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding for Coastal Zone Management programs.  This investment will provide the funding necessary for the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians (CTSI) to acquire land on Cape Foulweather, located along the central coast of Oregon. This rare rocky shore with important salt spray meadow and Sitka Spruce forest habitat will be conserved for its ecological, cultural and visual benefits, bolstering the resilience of the Tribe and coastal community. 

With its rocky shore, sweeping meadows and upland forest, Cape Foulweather will be the centerpiece of a regional tribal effort focused on invigorating cultural traditions. This area was an important hunting, fishing, and gathering site and within the traditional lands of the people now recognized as the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. While the Siletz people have been stewarding Oregon’s central coast since time immemorial, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians experienced a loss of over 100 miles of coastal shoreline ownership nested within 1.1 million acres of original reservation land. With this funding, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians will regain ownership of this parcel and conserve this land as an anchor for cultural resilience and regional collaboration in near shore, upland forest, and estuarine conservation and education. The Siletz people will provide opportunities for education and outreach about the richness of the Oregon coast, the central role of the tribes in its stewardship, and the value of conserving lands and waters. 

“Alongside its inherent ecological, scenic and cultural value, this is land was originally set aside in 1855 as a part of a permanent homeland for the Confederated Tribes of Siletz. We are grateful to have the chance to steward it once again, and thankful to those who made it possible.” Peter Hatch, a History and Archaeology Specialist with Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indian’s Culture Department.

“This NOAA funding source is a highly competitive national grant program. To have funding dedicated for this project recognizes the values of this unique habitat at a nationwide level. OCMP views the protection of this unique coastal headland as an integral component to the success of Oregon’s coastal resiliency and conservation goals. As the host agency in the Oregon Coastal Management Program, DLCD recognizes the significance of this award and how this BIL funding aligns with OCMP goals to protect coastal and ocean resources and ensure livable, resilient communities on the Oregon coast. We are honored to have this opportunity to provide the funding through this award for the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians to secure this land and protect this unique and critical habitat.” Lisa Phipps, OCMP/DLCD Manager.

Partners invested in this work look to build on the conservation of this land towards a central coast conservation and education program that strengthens community resilience for all Oregonians.  Lincoln County, Lincoln County Board of Commissioners, the Lincoln County Department of Planning and Development and the Lincoln County Land Legacy Program have been strong supporters of this project and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. With established relationships and shared goals, the County and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians leveraged their initial investments to move this project forward. 

“The acquisition process for Cape Foulweather was just a paper exercise until I got out on the property. Being out there takes your breath away. I’m proud of Lincoln County’s role in preserving this property. The collaboration that made this possible was tremendous. Personally, I find it especially meaningful that the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians will own that special place. What a great outcome for our community and the nation.”  Lincoln County Commissioner Kaety Jacobson.

McKenzie River Trust and The Nature Conservancy have played a critical role in building this conservation partnership and others along the central Oregon coast. 

“Shortly after expanding our coastal service area north through Lincoln City, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and Lincoln County approached us about this important and timely conservation opportunity. As a local land trust serving Oregon’s central coast, we were able to bring our legal tools and expertise in land transactions to support the permanent conservation of this incredible place.”  Margaret Treadwell, Central Coast Conservation Program Manager, McKenzie River Trust.

Photo Credit: Steve Smith Photography

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NOAA’s Habitat Protection and Restoration Awards – Approximately $77 million was made available in 2023 to coastal zone management programs and National Estuarine Research Reserves to fund projects that increase coastal resilience. The investments were made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, with funding leveraged by the Inflation Reduction Act.

This is a transformational moment for the nation’s coasts, as this is an investment in resilience like we’ve never seen before. Coastal ecosystems and communities continue to face great challenges— challenges that are expected to grow with climate change and other competing interests.

The 33 selected projects nationwide are designed to increase community resilience to climate change and extreme weather events by decreasing flooding through land conservation, restoration of important coastal and estuarine habitats, and identification of priority habitats for future conservation and restoration investments, as well as through the engineering, design, and data gathering needed to ensure successful projects. These investments and efforts are building on the important work by states and territories over the past 50 years under the Coastal Zone Management Act to manage our nation’s coastal areas and conduct long-term research to better understand the function of our estuaries.

The funding is administered by NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management. The distribution is as follows:

• Coastal Zone Management Programs – $54.4 million, including $50.1 million for 20 projects and $4.3 million to support capacity-building within the coastal programs.
• National Estuarine Research Reserves – $23 million, including $20.2 million for 13 projects and $2.8 million to support capacity-building within the reserves.

About The Oregon Coastal Management Program

Oregon is one of 34 states to have a nationally recognized Coastal Management Program established by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972. The Oregon Coastal Management Program aims to protect coastal and ocean resources, and ensure livable, resilient communities on the Oregon coast. The Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development is the lead agency in the coastal program network, which also includes 11 state agencies and 42 city and county governments. Financial assistance for OCMP is provided by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, administered by the Office for Coastal Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

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.