Coos County residents are going to get a chance to voice their opinions about marine reserves thanks to a committee facilitated by the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay.

The recommendation won't go so far as designating a marine reserve off Coos Bay. It would simply give OPAC an idea of what the community would accept.

The goal is to give people as many chances to provide input as possible, said deputy director Mike Gaul, and ultimately send a recommendation to the Ocean Policy Advisory Council.

The local marine reserves process has been stalled since OPAC issued recommendations to Gov. Ted Kulongoski last November. It supported establishing pilot reserves near Port Orford and Depot Bay, as well as giving consideration to proposals at Cape Perpetua, Cape Falcon and Cascade Head.

Rep. Arnie Roblan, D-Coos Bay, is slated to make the first arguments today in favor of a bill to incorporate those recommendations into law. It sets aside $1 million from the New Carissa fund to pay for baseline studies at the two pilot sites as well as continue exploration of the other locations. Plans originally called for $2 million to fund the projects, so the State Fish and Wildlife Commission and Legislative Assembly could choose to scale back or suspend fishing prohibitions.

There may be ways to offset some of those costs, Roblan said. NOAA recently approved $4 million to map the sea floor, which will help with the marine reserve project. The state also plans to spend another $1 million from the New Carissa fund for mapping, and private groups can provide additional funds.

The OPAC is scheduled to meet June 8 and expects to hear from the port's committee.

"OPAC will be eager to see the results," said OPAC spokesman Jay Charland.

Port commissioners haven't taken a stance on marine reserves, but port officials offered to step in after some people suggested OPAC's process wasn't transparent.

No port commissioners will sit on the committee, though staffers will facilitate the meetings. The port does have a seat, which will be filled by Steven Shimotakahara, who has dived in the area where marine reserves had been proposed.

"I must say it is an incredibly rich area" for fish and invertebrates, Shimotakahara said.

Although there are people with rather fixed views, he said, he's optimistic the group can reach an agreement on a limited reserve that considers recreational, environmental and commercial interests.

"Hopefully everyone can keep an open mind and the committee can reach a consensus," he said.

Members of the committee also include former OPAC member John Griffith). He doesn't want to see the committee make the same mistake as OPAC. He reiterated his view that Gov. Ted Kulongoski put the cart before the horse when he asked for advice on where to put reserves - rather than finding out if they are even necessary.

"I'm opposed to having any off Oregon until they identify a problem we are trying to correct," he said.

The committee also includes Dave Lacey, Our Ocean's South Coast field organizer. He helped put together the proposal for a reserve south of Pistol River, though he wasn't involved with Our Ocean's proposal for Cape Arago.

"I think everyone's got to concede somewhere," he said. "I think that's the Oregon way."

There will be town hall-style meetings in the Bandon, Reedsport and Coos Bay areas, on top of committee work sessions. Public comments won't be accepted at the work sessions, though people can get their ideas across by talking to the committee representatives, Gaul said.

There is no deadline for the committee to complete its work and both Gaul and Charland expect it to take a while.