The leasing of submerged and submersible lands is emerging as a new marine conservation method. Using a geographic information system, this study: (1) examines the suitability of estuary tideland sites for conservation leasing in Lincoln County, Oregon, and (2) explores the relationship between adjacent terrestrial land use zones and the chemical and physical water quality parameters of submerged lands. Pearson correlations between land use zones and estuarine water quality were performed at the 250 m, 500 m, 1000 m, 2000 m, and 4000 m scale. Significant Pearson correlations were found for six out of the nine land use zones studied. These results suggest bordering land use zoning can be used as an initial filter for site selection when water quality is a factor in conservation management for a site.