Curry County Oregon

Natural Resources

Over the past 25 years, the southern Oregon coast has transitioned from a traditional forestry and fisheries economy to one based on tourism, services, agriculture and some light manufacturing. The county boasts an abundance of cranberry and blueberry crops. Situated in the “Klamath Knot,” this unique eco-region is considered a global center of biodiversity and has the highest conifer diversity in the world, with over 30 species of conifers alone, including the Brewer’s Spruce – the last conifer species discovered in North America in 1884. The rare Kalmiopsis flowering bush – discovered in 1930 – finds its home in the Siskiyou Mountains of eastern Curry County, the southernmost coastal county in the state.

As with most of the state, approximately 60% of Curry County is owned by the federal government. The remaining 40% of lands are divided: 26% in forestry, 9% in farming, 2% in residential and the remaining 3% in county, city, state and unimproved holdings. Under the guidelines of the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (LCDC), the state has one of the most restrictive land-use policies in the nation. Runaway development observed in neighboring states prompted LCDC, “… to support all of our partners in creating and implementing comprehensive plans that reflect and balance the statewide planning goals, the vision of citizens, and the interests of local, state, federal and tribal governments.” Administration of LCDC guidelines occurs mostly with the Curry County officials located in Gold Beach.

Interestingly, in spite of a dip in the mid-1980s with the closure of the mills, the population has grown at an annual rate of 1.5% since 1970, beating the national average of 0.6%. At approximately 1600 square miles, Curry County is roughly the same size as the state of Rhode Island. With a population just over 21,000, it has 13 residents per square mile, less than half of the United State’s national average. It has one of the highest retiree populations in the U.S.  A unique collision and co-mingling of forces and splendors of nature have created a visual paradise of rock, waters, sand, forest, hillside, climate, greenery, and wildlife.  A rare place on earth, where beautiful wild & scenic rivers tumble down through steep canyons and towering forests on their way to a rocky coastline with wide stretches of sandy beach where they pour out into the mighty Pacific.  Huddling around the mouths of the rivers are picturesque working ports made of hillside homes, small waterfront cafes, vibrant art communities, and more parks per mile than anywhere in the U.S.

In addition to the natural beauty and resources, the climate also attracts newcomers. Curry County sits at the same latitude as Chicago and Boston (42 deg N), yet it enjoys the title of “Oregon’s Banana Belt.” It’s not uncommon to find bananas and citrus growing outdoors in protected southerly exposed residences along the Pacific Ocean. Approximately 90% of all Easter Lilies are grown in Curry County, a testament to the mild conditions.

One of the more progressive areas the region when it comes to sustainability and economic growth, is the small community of Port Orford. With a current population of just over 1,000 residents, Port Orford - established in 1851 - was the first on the Oregon Coast.

In September 2008, the Port Orford Ocean Resource Team (POORT), with a mission to engage Port Orford fishers and other community members in developing and implementing a strategic plan and framework that ensures the long-term sustainability of the Port Orford reef ecosystem and social system dependent on it, proposed making the Redfish Rocks area south of Port Orford a marine reserve. The POORT also recommended a broader Marine Protection Area that would “encompass the state waters of the Port Orford Community Stewardship Area…” of some 30 miles in length along the southern Oregon coast. This 935-square-mile reserve is intended to protect “…terrestrial, freshwater, intertidal and ocean reserves…” which in turn would protect the fisheries viability of the Port Orford community.