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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Estuary Partnership Mapping Site Goes Live!
Big Canoes, Birdfest, and Bluegrass will make for great day in Ridgefield Washington on October 9. That's the first day of Ridgefield's annual Birdfest celebration and the day the Estuary Partnership is providing two Big Canoe paddle trips to the public. To register, contact McKenzie Miller (503.226.1565 x. 229). The suggested donation is $5-$10 (with children under 10 free). Proceeds benefit Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Estuary Partnership Receives EPA Grant to The Estuary Partnership will be initiating a process to update our Lower Columbia River Management Plan to include actions that help reduce the impacts of climate change thanks to a small EPA Climate Ready Estuaries grant - part of EPA's program to help ensure all 28 National Estuary Programs are integrating climate change into our activities. Climate ready adaptations will be built upon science and developed by local stakeholders. For more information go to EPA's Climate Ready Estuaries Web page.
Nearly 100 community leaders, practitioners, and scientists gathered on June 4 at the Estuary Partnership's fourth Science to Policy Summit. Participants discussed how the Estuary Partnership can continue to support regional efforts and ensure investments being made in the lower Columbia River are accountable and getting results. Oregon State Senator Jackie Dingfelder and Washington State Representative Jim Jacks served as co-hosts. A full report out from the summit is in development that will include Estuary Partnership board activities to support the summit outputs. Read the related Oregonian Article
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 Pam Andrews at 503.226.1565 x.231 Note: Due to technical issues - please use the donate button above to make a donation.
The Scappoose/St. Helens area newspaper 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 invasive species removal project. View  Groundbreaking Ceremony Kicks Off Phase 1 Construction at Humboldt Learning Garden
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  NOAA Fisheries Estuary Recovery Plan Module Available The Columbia River Estuary Recovery Plan Module is one element of a larger effort to develop recovery plans for ESA listed fish species in the Columbia Basin. The module is intended to help account for the degree which the estuary and plume can contribute to basin wide recovery efforts. The Estuary Partnership developed the draft Columbia River Estuary Recovery Plan under contract to NOAA Fisheries. To view the module: more. |
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. Estuary Partnership Science Work Group Meeting
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 Ac 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 June 2010, Oregon Governor, Ted Kulongoski, Washington State Rep. Deb Wallace and EPA Region 10 Director of Oregon Operations, Anthony Barber helped the Estuary Partnership release our 2010 Report on the Estuary. The report assess the region's progress towards a healthy ecosystem in five key areas; water quality, land use, habitat, stewardship, and endangered species. Read the full 2010 Report on the Estuary.
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. "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. Check out the What's New page for some of the report's key findings.
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.  EPA Releases Columbia River Basin State of the River Report for Toxics 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 |
Paddle the Estuary Partnership Big Canoes at Ridgefield's Birdfest Celebration October 9!
Participants Discuss Accountability at the Estuary Partnership's Fourth Science to Policy Summit 
South County Spotlight Highlights Estuary
Lower Columbia River Water Trail Poster For Sale
Large Wood Placed at Mirror Lake Restoration Site to Benefit Salmon Habitat 
Estuary Partnership Releases 2010 Report on the Estuary
