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.
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The 2010 Columbia River Estuary Conference will bring together project leaders, program managers, and research scientists to share lessons from ecological restoration and endangered species recovery in the lower Columbia River and estuary. View the Conference Announcement and Call for Papers for submittal and registration information or visit the Conference Web Site. Conference sponsors include the Estuary Partnership, BPA, CREST, NMFS, ODLCD, and USACE.
Funding available for Habitat Restoration Projects within
The Estuary Partnership's latest Habitat Restoration Request for Proposals seeks habitat restoration projects that benefit salmon species and their habitats within the tidally influenced areas of the lower Columbia River and estuary and its tributaries. Proposals are due by 4:00 pm, Friday, March 12, 2010. To discuss your project or questions, contact Evan Haas at 503.226.1565 x.238 Click Habitat Restoration RFP to view the full Request for Proposals application. Interested parties should also view the Estuary Partnership's updated Criteria for Identifying Prioritizing Habitat Protection and Restoration Projects.
The Portland Art Museum was a-buzz with 275 guests of the Estuary Partnership for our Annual Dinner and Art Sale on November 14! This year’s fundraiser featured artists and art of the lower Columbia River basin who generously donated 50%of their evening’s profits to the Estuary Partnership. Congressman David Wu welcomed the guests and Oregon State Senator Jackie Dingfelder also participated in the evening.
Make a Donation to the Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership! Your taxable 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. Donations can be made securely on-line or by calling Windy Hovey at 503.226.1565 x.234
The Scappoose/St. Helens area newspager the South County Spotlight highlighted the Estuary Partnership's on-river and service learning programs in a story in the October 1, 2009 issue. The article highlights a big canoe trip with a 4th grade class from St. Helens Lewis and Clark Elementary School that included a paddle to Sand Island and an invsive species removal project. View
 Groundbreaking Ceremony Kicks Off Phase 1 Construction at Humboldt Learning Garden
Humboldt School celebrated with a dirt turning ceremony the start of construction on their long awaited dream of an on-site Learning Garden. The project is the latest in the Estuary Partnership's Schoolyard Stormwater series. Learning Garden elements will include an outdoor classroom, garden boxes, and in Phase 2 a buried cistern that captures stormwater runoff from the school's roof to irrigate the garden.
Habitat
The final NOAA Technical Memorandum - "Protocols for Monitoring Habitat Restoration Projects in the Lower Columbia River and Estuary" was released in February 2009. The document describes a series of standardized protocols for monitoring the effects of habitat restoration projects in the lower Columbia River and estuary.
Bring the Lower Columbia River Water Trail inside with the new Water Trail Poster. Blues, greens, and an overhead shot of a solo kayaker will make you feel like you're paddling the lower Columbia River wherever you are. Posters are available from the Estuary Partnership office for only $10.00 and proceeds benefit the Partnership's Stewardship Programs. Contact Windy Hovey at 503.226.1565 x.234 to purchase.
Like its cousin the zebra mussel, the freshwater quagga mussel can grow on many surfaces and form dense colonies that impact water pipes, fish screens and ladders, native species and water recreation. Their arrival in the Pacific Northwest could have serious impacts. Boaters and the general public are asked to be on the lookout for any sign of these invasive mussels, and to take special precaution when transporting boats between waterbodies. Additional information and what you can do to stop their spread is available at: www.protectyourwaters.net or www.100thMeridian.or
 2008 Columbia River Estuary Conference Proceedings Released
In late April more than 100 people gathered in Astoria for the Columbia River Estuary Conference on Ecosystem Restoration. Now, the Conference Proceedings are available in PDF format. Most individual presentations are available as well through the CREC web site too: http://cerc.labworks.org/abstracts.stm
The Lower Columbia River Summary Report details progress and next steps.
Restoration practitioners who need technical assistance help with restoration project scoping, design, or planning have a new option to turn to with the Estuary Partnership's announcement of Technical Assistance Availability. Technical assistance funds are available to help project sponsors develop, design, and implement larger, more complex estuary restoration projects. Available services will include conceptual designs, engineering, hydrology, geotechnical and other technical skill sets. Applications are accepted on a rolling first come first served basis. View the Technical Assistance Announcement and Application.
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The Columbia River Restoration Act, HB 4652, was introduced in Congress last week by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR). Congressman Baird (D-WA) and Congressman Wu (D-OR) co-sponsored the bill in the House of Representatives. The bill would give Congress the ability to appropriate up to $40 million annually to reduce toxics and restore habitat in the Columbia River Basin. The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a hearing on the bill Wednesday February 24. Estuary Partnership Executive Director Debrah Marriott was invited to testify in support of the legislation. "This bill recognizes the Columbia Basin as one of the nation's great water bodies. It opens the path to reduce toxic contaminants, improve ecosystem conditions, adds significant jobs and begins long term improvements to public health and our economic stability" Marriott testified. Read or listen to Marriott's Senate Subcommittee Testimony. Read more with these links:
The Estuary Partnership will be working with Wilderness International and volunteers to restore native habitat along the Willamette River. Remove invasive vegetation, spread mulch, build trails and plant native plants. Contact the Estuary Partnership's Josh Holcomb 503.226.1565 x.221 for more information or to sign up.
The Estuary Partnership's Volunteer Planting Projects are a great way to get some fresh air, warm up your muscles, meet new people, and be great stewards! There are several tree plantings scheduled through fall 2009 and winter 2010 at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and Steigerwald National Wildlife Refuge. Click here for details.
The 2009 Estuary Partnership Year-In-Review Brochure is now available online below. The Estuary Partnership is pleased to provide this review of our activities through 2009, and we are grateful for the agency, organization, and individual support that help us achieve these
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 Acres
On 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.
"Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation for the Federal Columbia River Estuary Program" Final Report Released Often referred to as the RM and E Plan, the "Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation for the Federal Columbia River Estuary Program" final report aims to provide the framework from which to assess the progress of estuary restoration projects to improve ESA listed salmonid populations. The report was prepared for the Bonneville Power Administration by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in conjunction with NOAA Fisheries and the US Army Corps of Engineers with the collaboration of the Estuary Partnership.
The Estuary Partnership, USGS, and NOAA recently released the "Lower Columbia River and Estuary Ecosystem Monitoring: Water Quality and Salmon Sampling Report." The report details the results of the Estuary Partnership's juvenile salmon and water quality monitoring efforts.
EPA's Columbia River Basin State of the River Report for Toxics compiles data about four widespread contaminants in the Columbia River basin and identifies the risk they pose to people, fish, and wildlife. Mercury, PCBs, PBDE flame retardants, and DDT and its breakdown products are profiled. Download the complete Report for Toxics here or visit the EPA web site for more information or specific sections |
Annual Dinner, Art, Show
South County Spotlight Highlights Estuary
Lower Columbia River Water Trail Poster For Sale
Sen. Merkley and Rep. Blumenauer Introduce Columbia River Restoration Act
Willamette River Volunteer Opportunity
