The operation of South Slough NERR is based upon a set of Core Principles. These Core Principles include the federal regulations, state policies, strategic planning goals, and the mission, guiding principles, vision, and goals adopted by the South Slough NERR Management Commission to direct the programs and operations of the Reserve over the next five years.

South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve is managed through a partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL). As one of 27 units in the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS), operations of the Reserve are guided by the NERRS program goals and state law and policy. Federal Regulations: NERRS Program Goals Federal regulations provide five specific goals for the National Estuarine Research Reserve System:

The mission statement defines why South Slough NERR exists. All Reserve programs and operations should support accomplishment of the mission of South Slough NERR. The mission of the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve is:

 

To improve the understanding and stewardship of Pacific Northwest estuaries and coastal watersheds.

The South Slough NERR Management Commission recognizes that the action plans laid out in this document exist in relation to one another and in the context of external conditions. The

Commission has adopted the following principles to guide the overall approach to the work of South Slough NERR. These principles relate to and reinforce the Reserve’s mission and are descriptive of the values to which program effectiveness can be attributed.

 

 

The Coos estuary and the communities within its watershed should be the primary focus of the Reserve’s research and education activities. By focusing programs on South Slough and the Coos watersheds, the Reserve develops information and expertise that can be used to better understand estuaries and coastal watershed issues throughout the region.

 

 

South Slough NERR is committed to creating an atmosphere of cooperation and shared vision regarding the work of the Reserve. In the planning stages of a project, the Reserve will request and consider input from diverse sources to ensure the quality of the project and improve the likelihood for success.

 

 

An intact and functioning estuarine ecosystem is necessary for the long-term research and educational activities of the Reserve. All activities managed or endorsed by the Reserve will be compatible with the mission of the NERR system and with the South Slough NERR Stewardship Program.

 

 

The mission of the Reserve is best served by projects that are designed to address multiple Reserve goals. Staff will keep the Manager and each other advised of proposed initiatives in order to identify possible conflicts and so implementation strategies can be formulated that meet the needs of all programs.

 

 

Programs at South Slough NERR address common issues in different ways. Programmatic efforts will be coordinated around target audiences and relevant coastal issues in order to most effectively serve the Reserve’s constituency.