The Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership works to protect and restore the nationally significant lower Columbia River estuary with on-the-ground improvements and education and information programs. To augment existing efforts, the Estuary Partnership focuses on bringing together the whole picture; building capacity of partners and leverage resources and providing information; and removing barriers to better management of the lower Columbia River through collaboration, convening and coordination.
Mission
To preserve and enhance the water quality of the estuary to support its biological and human communities.
Guiding Principle
The health of the river will not significantly improve if new problems continually emerge even as old ones are addressed and solved.
Who We Are
The Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership, one of 28 programs in the National Estuary Program, is a two-state, public-private initiative. Using a watershed approach, the Estuary Partnership cuts across political boundaries - integrating 28 cities, 9 counties, and the states of Oregon and Washington over an area that stretches 146 miles from Bonneville Dam to the Pacific Ocean. The Estuary Partnership is a 501(C)(3) non-profit corporation with a 21 member Board of Directors representing the diverse interests and geography of northwest Oregon and southwest Washington.
Our primary responsibility is to implement the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for the Lower Columbia River (Management Plan). The Management Plan was developed by bringing together diverse interests to reach consensus on how to protect this complex portion of the Columbia River. Its actions are based on scientific studies, the visions and objectives developed for seven priority issues, and significant input from citizens of the lower Columbia River and estuary. The Management Plan has no regulatory authority, and the Management Plan actions rely on voluntary participation. The plan continues to be supported by a broad stakeholder group now engaged in its implementation.
What We Do
The Estuary Partnership works concertedly in three areas to:
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Protect the ecosystem and species - restore 19,000 acres of wetlands and habitat by 2014 and promote improvements in stormwater management.
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Reduce toxic and conventional pollution - conduct long term monitoring and work with partners to eliminate persistent bioaccumulative toxics, bring water bodies up to water quality standards, reduce hydrocarbon and heavy metal discharges and reduce bacterial contamination.
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Provide information about the river to a range of audiences - provide applied learning programs for children and build federal, state, local, public and private coordination.
Where We Focus
We work within our study area, a 146 mile segment of the Columbia River and nearby acreage from the Bonneville Dam to the mouth of the Pacific Ocean.
How We Do It
The Estuary Partnership provides a regional framework to support and enhance local efforts. That support includes providing funds to local entities. Many public and private partners help the Estuary Partnership accomplish its work. Funding from the states of Oregon and Washington and Congress – through the National Estuary Program – supports base operations and help secure matching public and private dollars. Every dollar invested in the Estuary Partnership currently leverages eight additional dollars.
Visit the Implementation Page to learn more about the activities and accomplishment of the Estuary Partnership.