The North Coast Explorer was developed as a prototype website that will inform the creation of a statewide natural resource information system to support Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds decision-making. The prototype demonstrates how a website can provide integrated access to natural resources data, tools, and expertise for the North Coast Basin of Oregon. It is designed to serve three user groups: local restoration groups and citizens (e.g., watershed councils and soil and water conservation districts), Oregon Plan partner agencies, and the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) and program staff.

The website was developed through a partnership among OWEB, the Institute for Natural Resources at Oregon State University, OSU Libraries, the InfoGraphics Lab at University of Oregon, the Natural Resources Information Management Program of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Oregon Department of Administrative Services, and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. To ensure that the prototype website is useful and relevant from the standpoint of users, the development process for the North Coast Explorer involved representatives of the various users to help design, review, and test the site.

To read the North Coast Basin Prototype Website Project Completion Report that was submitted to OWEB on February 28, 2005, click here.

The Web site was made public in February of 2005.