SALEM (AP) - Gov. Ted Kulongoski told the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy on Thursday that he supports creation of a trust fund to provide $4 billion a year to protect oceans and coastlines, but warned against providing incentives for development that threatens the environment.

Kulongoski's comments came in Oregon's formal response to the commission's draft report issued last April on the state of the nation's oceans and coastal areas. Among its recommendations was creation of a trust fund from $4 billion a year in royalties on oil and gas development.

"I support establishment of a National Ocean Policy Trust Fund," Kulongoski wrote. "However, the Ocean Trust Fund must be structured so that it does not create incentives for inappropriate offshore development that conflicts with state or regional ocean goals and policies, or that will trigger activities likely to jeopardize the marine and coastal ecosystem."

There is currently no oil or gas drilling off the Oregon Coast.

Kulongoski said the single most important action was to reauthorize and strengthen the National Coastal Zone Management Act, which has protected local interests in a flexible framework for working with state and federal authorities.

"As the commission rightly points out, growth and development pressures at the local government level can have the most impact on coastal resources," the governor wrote. "Thus, it is at the local level where the need is greatest for planning, management and technical assistance to address these issues.

The governor added that he strongly supports the commission's emphasis on a watershed and ecosystem approach to protecting, managing and restoring coastlines and oceans, and creation of a National Ocean Council and Presidential Council of Advisors on Ocean Policy.

Kulongoski also supported recommendations to broaden representation on federal fishery management councils, which propose ocean fishing seasons and quotas and increase funding to states to help them handle the immense workload generated by the fisheries councils.

Oregon does not allow salmon farms, and the governor voiced concerns about the potential economic and environmental harm marine aquaculture could have on coastal fishing communities that depend on fish that grow in the wild.