The Coos Bay estuary is one of Oregon's most important ecological resources, valued by surrounding communities for its abundant, diverse natural resources and economic and cultural significance. However, modern management of the estuary and its surrounding shorelands is based on local land use plans developed in the 1970s, a time when timber export and a vision of an industrialized waterfront predominated. The surrounding community now agrees that land use regulations need to evolve to reflect today's economic and social drivers centered around tourism and retirement services, while proactively addressing environmental changes and protecting natural resources.

An integrated assessment project led by the South Slough Reserve, the Coos County Planning Department, and the Partnership for Coastal Watersheds provided necessary information and supported local government to modernize land use planning for the Coos Bay estuary.

The Coos Estuary Land Use Analysis is a complete project summary report that describes the project approach, syntheses, and findings and includes all accompanying resources as appendices.

In addition to these findings, the project also produced the Coos Estuary and Shorelands Atlas and a Lessons Learned Guide.