For thousands of years, the Columbia River has cut a magnificent channel through the volcanic plateaus of the Pacific Northwest. It brings power and energy, food, and endless recreation opportunities. But for the treasure it is, the Columbia River is in trouble. In the last 120 years, we have destroyed more than half of the habitat and we have left toxic contaminants in fish tissue and sediment. We have made some choices that, given the chance, we can change. Join us. The stewardship we build lasts a lifetime.
|
Friday, May 18, 2012 5:00 The Estuary Partnership is accepting proposals for habitat restoration projects in the lower Columbia River and estuary. Projects must improve or protect salmonid habitat and be located within the range of contemporary tidal influence. The submittal deadline is May 18, 2012 at 5:00pm. Click here, or contact Evan Haas (503-226-1565 x 238) for more information on this funding opportunity
On May 4 the Estuary Partnership hosted Lisa Jackson, US EPA Administrator, at the Scott School rain garden. Administrator Jackson applauded the student's work on their school yard rain garden and reminded them that the Columbia River belongs to everyone and we are all responsible to take care of it. This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the EPA National Estuary Program, created for conservation and restoration of our nation's estuaries.
The Estuary Partnership invites the community to come paddle and explore the lower Columbia on our big canoes. Our staff lead the outings on the stable 34’ voyageur style canoes. Children over 5 years old and adults are welcome. There is no fee for this paddle adventure. The Estuary Partnership provides personal flotation devices in standard sizes for ages 5 and above. Space is available on a first come first served basis. Reservations are required. To reserve a seat please contact McKenzie Miller, Environmental Educator, mmiller@lcrep.org at 503-226-1565 x229. Connect to the Columbia Canoe Schedule
Make a Donation to the Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership Your tax deductible donation can benefit the Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership's education and stewardship programs. The Estuary Partnership is a 501 (C)(3) Non-Profit Organization. Estuary Partnership Sponsoring Free Pesticide Disposal Event in Conjunction with Washington Dept. of Agriculture. The Washington State Department of Agriculture is conducting a free pesticide disposal event on June 20 in Longview, WA for famers, businesses, and others with unwanted agricultural and commercial grade pesticides. The Estuary Partnership is sponsoring the event to remove pesticides from the environment and protect water quality. Those interested in participating in the disposal event must contact WSDA by May 2. For more information View the WSDA News Release.
Summit Reviews Effects of Climate on Estuary
Scientists' Presentations On Friday, June 3rd the Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership hosted its annual Science to Policy Summit with the focus Climate Change: Adapting our Actions. An outstanding panel of leading climate scientists presented current research: Dr. Philip Mote, Director of the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute; Dr. Robert Bilby, Weyerhaeuser Co. Technology Center; Dr. Richard Feely, NOAA, Pacific Marine Environmental Lab; and, Dr. Curtis Roegner, NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service. Northwest Power and Conservation Council member and former Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury offered a challenge to focus on the science and the impacts as we move forward. Nearly 100 community leaders, practitioners and scientists gathered at the Vancouver Hilton to hear about current issues, resources, and the impacts of climate change and to discuss potential adaptations for the lower Columbia River region. Oregon Senator Jackie Dingfelder and Washington Senator Craig Pridemore were the honorary co-hosts, continuing the cross-river partnership.
Diverse Audience Attends Sediment Management Workshop Members of the California Coastal Sediment Management Workgroup (CSMW) drew more than 60 people to Portland State University on May 9 to learn about the development and implementation of Regional Sediment Management Plans in California. The workshop was designed to share lessons learned in California with Oregon and Washington stakeholders interested and engaged in sediment management activities in the lower Columbia River and elsewhere. The Estuary Partnership, Lower Columbia Solutions Group and CSMW organized the workshop with funding from the West Coast Governor’s Agreement on Ocean Health. Presentations from the workshop are linked below. Regional Sediment 101 – Cliff Davenport
|
June 1, 2012, 10:30 am-1:30 The conversation continues . . . In May regional scientists will review new research and emerging science for the lower Columbia River at the Columbia River Estuary Conference (CREC). Please join us on June 1, for the Science to Policy Summit in Vancouver, WA. We'll gather community leaders, scientists and practitioners to discuss the key findings from CREC and their management implications for our region. To register call Laura O'Keefe, 503-226-1565 x226 2012 Science to Policy Summit Agenda
The biennial conference is May 15-17, 2012 at the Liberty Theater in Astoria, Oregon. Highlighting new research and monitoring results and their implications for restoring the ecosystem and recovery of ESA listed species in the lower Columbia River and estuary. Steigerwald Kids Hike Join the Estuary Partnership’s Environmental Educator Samantha Johnson for an exploratory hike on the Gibbons Creek Nature Trail through Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. This new trail at the refuge is a flat graveled path that leads you through riparian areas rich in wildlife viewing opportunities. Together, we will discover animal signs, native plants and take a closer look at the wide variety of birds that call this refuge home. Sign up for this hike here.
2011 Year in Review Report Now Available This brochure reports on the work of the Estuary Partnership and our partners over the last year to protect and improve the lower Columbia River. Read highlights on the progress and successes made towards the goal of a healthy Columbia River along with the challenges we still face.
The Estuary Partnership’s 12th Annual Dinner & Art Gala brought the Portland Art Museum to life on November 5th. Guests gathered to support the Estuary Partnership and got busy bidding on art in the Art Scramble and later on fabulous live auction packages. Congressman Earl Blumenauer spoke about his ongoing work in Congress to support restoration of the Columbia. Amy Borde, PNNL, Lyndal Johnson NOAA and Jennifer Morace, U.S. Geological Survey were each presented a 2011 Stewardship Award in recognition of their scientific contributions to protect the Columbia River. Proceeds from the event support our Outdoor Education Programs that bring classroom lessons, field programs, service learning and canoe experiences to students in kindergarten through the twelfth grade. View photos of the event here.
Funds are available to help project sponsors develop, design, and implement habitat restoration projects in the lower Columbia River and estuary. Funds can be used to initiate concept designs, access engineering, hydrology, geotechnical and other technical expertise, collect critical baseline data, and for other purposes. No matching funds are required for this funding opportunity. Projects must be suitable for eventual funding through the Estuary Partnership’s Habitat Restoration Program, which uses funding provided by the Bonneville Power Administration’s Fish and Wildlife Program to support salmonid restoration efforts. Contact Evan Haas (503-226-1565 x 238) with any questions or for more information. Click Technical Assistance Application for more info.
At a September 23rd press conference on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, EPA Region 10 administrator Dennis McLerran released EPA's plan to reduce toxic contamination in the Columbia River. The plan provides a framework for reducing contamination from DDT, PCB, mercury, flame retardants (such as PBDEs), and other toxics that are causing ecosystem and human health concerns in the Columbia River Basin. The Estuary Partnership, along with more than 15 other organizations helped develop the plan. Check out the full Toxics Reduction Action Plan, EPA's September 2010 Toxics Reduction Newsletter, EPA's State of the River Report for Toxics, or press from the Action Plan's release: Columbian Oregonian.
Restoration work at Mirror Lake continued in late August when an excavator placed large woody debris to create pools that capture organic-rich debris, enhance the food chain, and create places for salmon to rest, feed, and hide from predators. The Estuary Partnership is coordinating restoration work at the site with project partners the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Oregon Department of Transportation and others. The Bonneville Power Administration and Oregon's salmon license plate fund are providing project funds.
The lower Columbia River and estuary, as part of the entire Columbia River Basin, moved one step closer to receiving resources to reduce toxic contaminant and improve ecosystem conditions when the Columbia River Basin Restoration Act of 2010 was unanimously passed by the Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee on June 30th. The Act was introduced by Senator Merkley (D-OR) with co-sponsorship from Senators Wyden (D-OR), Crapo (R-ID), Baucus (D-MT), and Tester (D-MT). A similar bill was introduced in the House in February by Representative Blumenauer (D-OR). For more information view the Estuary Partnership press release.
In the last 10 years, over 100 partners have been protected or restored 15,700 acres of habitat in the lower Columbia River! The Habitat Restoration 2000-2009 Brochure provides a moment to celebrate and pause to assess the successes, challenges and changes in the system and knowledge.  Estuary Partnership Expands Habitat Restoration Goal to 19,000 AcresOn July 30, 2009, the Estuary Partnership Board of Directors voted unanimously to expand their habitat restoration goal to 19,000 acres by 2014. Amending their Management Plan’s original goal of 16,000 acres aligns the Estuary Partnership with the US EPA’s 2009-2014 goal for the lower Columbia River region and estuary. View the Press Release and the related Oregonian Article. |
Connect to the Columbia 
NOAA Fisheries Estuary Recovery Plan Module Available 
2012 Science to Policy Summit The Management Implications of Emerging Science
2012 Columbia River Estuary Conference: 
