Most project review requirements are applied through review of permits for specific development projects. This system is designed to preserve diversity among Oregon's estuaries and guide development of estuaries that have been altered and which can support more development. Natural Sand Lake Salmon River Elk River Sixes River Pistol River Natural Estuary Estuaries lacking maintained jetties or channels, and which are usually little developed for residential, commercial or industrial uses. They may have altered shorelines, provided that these altered shorelines are not adjacent to an urban area. Shorelands around natural estuaries are generally used for agriculture, forestry, recreation and other rural uses.
Natural estuaries have only natural management units.
Winchuck River Conservation Estuary Estuaries lacking maintained jetties or channels, but which are within or adjacent to urban areas which have altered shorelines adjacent to the estuary. Conservation estuaries have conservation and natural management units. Shallow draft development estuaries have development, conservation and natural management units. River Yaquina Bay Coos Bay Deep Draft Estuary Estuaries with maintained jetties and a main channel maintained by dredging to deeper than 22 feet. Deep draft development estuaries have development, conservation and natural management units.