The Port is part of an area referred to as the Timber Belt, which includes rural areas stretching from Northern California up through much of Oregon and Washington. Communities within the Timber Belt have historically relied heavily upon natural resources (timber) and manufacturing (wood products and paper mills, e.g.) to drive their economies. Timber is a valuable renewable resource which must be stewarded well while at the same time contributing to regional and global economic needs.

This past month, one of our Port staff members took the iconic trip up the Oregon Coast from Coos Bay. Check out her perspective as a port employee and explore the diversity of some of Oregon's coastal ports north of Coos Bay. She also provides some travel tips along the way! 

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) recently celebrated their 227th year of existence this past summer. As a coastal community, we feel the presence of USCG through the USCG Cutter (USCGC) Orcas and the USCG stations in North Bend and Coos Bay. The Port interacts with the USCG in a variety of ways. We rent out the dock where the USCGC Orcas is currently stationed as well as work with the USCG in various committees like the Coos Bay Harbor Safety Committee. Recently, we went to tour the USCGC Orcas to gain a better understanding of their operations.

After 8 years of being a commercial fisherman, Tyler expanded Long Fisheries operations through the lease of dock 15 along the Charleston working waterfront. With the addition of the dock, Long Fisheries provides a place for out of town buyers from LA to British Columbia, Canada to conduct business in Charleston.

A couple weeks ago, the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay (OIPCB) and Coos Bay Rail Link (CBR) hosted the National American Railcar Operators Association (NARCOA) group on the Coos Bay rail line. NARCOA is a national non-profit organization that is “dedicated to the preservation and safe, legal operation of railroad equipment historically used for maintenance of way.”