The Science Work Group provides advice and support to the Estuary Partnership on scientific and technical issues and acts as a forum for the exchange of scientific information about the estuary. The group works to ensure a consistent and cooperative approach to scientific data, designing and implementing scientific and technical projects.

Upcoming Meetings
Science Work Group Meetings take place at the Estuary Partnership office at 811 SW Naito Parkway, Suite 120, Portland, OR 97204. Meeting times are generally 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Contact Chris Hathaway for more information.

Materials associated with recent meetings and the dates of upcoming meetings follow.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008 9:00 - 11:00
Meeting focus: Effectivenss Monitoring
Meeting Materials:
- Meeting Agenda
- Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation for the Federal Columbia River Estuary Program Report
- Curtis Roegner Presentation on Cumulative Effects Monitoring Protocols in the Lower Columbia River and Estuary
- Estuary Partnership Effectivness Monitoring One Page
- Estuary Partnership Effectiveness Monitoring Presentation

Tuesday, April 8, 2008 9:00 - 11:00
Meeting Focus: Restoration Project Review
Meeting Agenda
Restoration Project Proposal Powerpoint
Restoration Project Proposal Summary Spreadsheet
Restoration Project Proposal Map

Tuesday, May 20, 2008 9:00 - 11:00
Meeting Focus: Presentations by Joe Needoba from the Center for Coastal Margin Observation and Prediction on upcoming summer research cruises and Allan Whiting from PC Trask on Purple Loosestrife.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 9:00 - 11:00
Meeting Focus: To Be Determined
Meeting Materials:

Tuesday, July 22, 2008 9:00 - 11:00 - Ridgefield, Washington
Meeting Focus: Science Work Group Big Canoe Trip. The Science Work Group will take a field trip on the Estuary Partnership's 34-foot Big Canoes down Lake River to its confluence with the lower Columbia River. The trip will start at the Ridgefield Public Boat Ramp. More information will be forthcoming.

Future Dates and Meeting Topis To Be Announced:

Science Work Group Activities Include:

• Help evaluate environmental conditions of the lower Columbia River and estuary
       - Identify ecological indicators
       - Make recommendations on the methods and
         costs of acquiring data for the public report
       - Assist in interpreting data
• Assist in implementing elements of Aquatic Ecosystem Monitoring Strategy for the Lower Columbia River
• Assist in developing and implementing the Information and Management Strategy, paying particular attention to developing a consistent and cooperative approach to data gathering
• Provide a forum for on-going scientific information exchange about the estuary

Science Work Group Membership Profile
Participation on the Science Work Group is open to all interested individuals, organizations, businesses, local governments, and state and federal agencies. Typical representatives include Board of Directors members; tribal, federal, state and local agency representatives; representatives from academe, private sector scientists and interested parties; and non-governmental representatives. The Board of Directors Liaison to the Science Work Group is Yvonne Vallette (from US EPA). The work group is staffed by the Estuary Partnership's Director of Technical Programs.