Welcome to OWARE

This website was created for our Public Participation GIS class (Oregon State University: GEO 599 - Fall 2007). The purpose of this website is to create an open forum for discussion regarding the siting of wave energy facilities along the Oregon Coast.

This forum is open to the general public, and provides several methods for the public to provide comment on various topics related to wave energy facilities.

This final project for GEO 599 (this website) will present findings regarding the following topics :

• We propose a formalized strategy for soliciting "local knowledge" about the Oregon coast and for soliciting input from local stakeholders concerning the potential impacts of siting wave energy facilities. The importance of this issue and introduction of stakeholder involvement early on in the policy decision making process is exemplified by today's article Wave energy impact worries fishermen in the Corvallis Gazette Times (November 26, 2007). By offering multiple methods for collecting comments and data from the public such as polls, forums, and comments, and by presenting a methodology for soliciting and mapping that data, the discussion can be enriched by incorporating local knowledge. Read more...
• We will exemplify a case in which local knowledge played a role in land use decision making. In California, the Department of Fish and Game developed a multistakeholder-driven process to weigh the potential environmental, social, and economic impacts of creating an ecological reserve. Read more about how they achieved this through advances in technology and public participation...
• We will explain how citizen participation improves local government planning and outcomes by outlining five simple steps to encourage stakeholder buy-in throughout the decision-making process. Read more...

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on this website may or may not have any legitimate bearing on the actual decision making process for siting wave energy facilities along the Oregon coast. Information and views expressed herein are considered to be for academic study only and Oregon State University and the students of GEO 599 claim no responsibility for any misrepresentation and/or damages that may inadvertently occur through the information presented.