The Management Plan consists of 43 distinct actions divided into three sections. The actions address the following goals.

On-The-Ground Improvements for Habitat and Land Use

• Restore 16,000 acres of wetlands in the study area
• Inventory and classify habitat and identify critical habitat for protection
• Change land use practices to ensure that development is environmentally sensitive
• Limit non-water dependent development in the floodway
• Maintain natural buffers on riparian corridors
  Reduce the quantity of stormwater runoff and improving its quality
• Use best management practices to control runoff and limit conventional or toxic pollutants

Twelve actions address habitat loss and modification and the impacts of land use activities. In the comparative risk ranking conducted in 1997, all three participating groups (technical experts, focus groups, and the general public) ranked loss of habitat and wetlands as the number one risk to public health, ecological health, and quality of life in the lower river and estuary. The Estuary Partnership initiates work on these activities and assists others as well.

Heightened Education and Information and Government Coordination

• Initiate and sustain long term monitoring that builds on existing agency monitoring activities
• Centralized comprehensive data to measure effectiveness of actions taken
• Define a common purpose and establish a commitment to that purpose among all interests to advance regional well-being
• Provide education and information to all citizens, including opportunities to experience the river and its connections to our behaviors
• Improve coordination among government agencies
• Administer small grant program
• Coordinate volunteer monitoring and involvement
• Help local governments implement federal, state, and local environmental and land use laws

Fifteen actions call for increased education and improved consistency and coordination among government agencies with responsibility for the lower river and estuary. Over 160 agencies of government have a management or regulatory role on the lower Columbia River. The Management Plan recognizes that accurate, objective information is an important way to foster stewardship for the river among all citizens. These actions are seen as paramount for fostering public stewardship and effectively protecting the river. Long term monitoring is a key component of the education efforts. The Estuary Partnership leads the implementation of these actions.

Reduction of Toxic and Conventional Pollutants

• Eliminate persistent bioaccumulative toxics
• Establish maximum daily loads for streams that do not meet water quality standards
• Reduce PAHs and heavy metal discharges associated with petroleum powered vehicles and equipment
• Reduce bacterial contamination

The sixteen actions that address conventional and toxic pollutants involve the regulatory authority of a variety of local, state, and federal agencies. Some actions reflect existing activities, some call for increased activity. The Estuary Partnership's primary role will be to monitor the progress of the responsible entities to ensure the actions are implemented and the goals are met.