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2010 udy V Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership : JPhoto Report on the Estuary

Investing for Results What’s Inside:

ur 2010 Report on the Estuary for threatened and endangered what is in the system, contaminant is a five-year assessment of salmonids. EPA, USGS and NOAA sources, and impacts on wildlife and Oour progress to improve the completed several one-time studies human health to direct actions to overall health of the lower Columbia that improve our understanding of reduce contamination. Investment in River. It gives us the opportunity contaminants. EPA designated the habitat restoration needs to include to take a broad look at the state of Columbia Basin a Great Water Body. In all aspects of projects and link to the river so we can focus future February, Congressman Blumenauer toxics reduction. Water Quality investments where they can be and Senator Merkley introduced the Pollutant Level Trends . . . . . 2 most effective. Columbia River Restoration Act of We need to acknowledge that results Land Use come slowly; earth systems measure 2010 to formally raise the stature of Land Cover Trends ...... 6 We track five measures: pollutant the Columbia to that of the Chesapeake time in thousands of years, not a levels, land cover trends, citizen Bay and other great water bodies. human lifetime and certainly not Stewardship engagement, habitat restoration and two or four year cycles. Results may Education Program Trends . . . 8 Citizen Volunteering Trends . . . .9 endangered species. The Estuary There have been challenges. come from one or two large actions; Partnership is involved with all Investment in the Columbia lags far more likely it will be the accumulation Reference these efforts, sometimes supporting behind other major water bodies of many actions. The degradation Lower Columbia River Map . . 10 existing entities and sometimes and the river remains degraded. did not occur in one or two places Habitat leading implementation. The 16,000 acres of restored habitat from one or two actions. We need to Restoration Trends ...... 12 returns less than half the acres lost talk about the impacts of not taking Endangered Species We have made progress since 2005. since 1880 and on-going habitat action. We need to remember that the Recovery Trends ...... 16 Regional partners have restored 16,235 loss is not being measured. Only decisions we make today are better Status Report acres of habitat, achieving the Estuary one site along the lower 146 miles is than those we made five years ago and From the Executive Director . . 20 Partnership 1999 Management Plan monitored regularly for contaminants. we hope not as good as the ones we goal of restoring 16,000 acres by 2010. Land use changes and their impact are will make in 2015. We completed three years of toxics not tracked. As existing problems are monitoring. Estuary Partnership addressed, we aren’t sure what new The region has made progress and applied learning programs reached ones we may be creating. has shown unprecedented ability to 84,545 students and adults. The States work together, learn more and adapt have invested in toxics reduction The road ahead is clearer. to changing conditions and needs. within their waters; and with NOAA We must institute and sustain a The problems we are addressing, they have completed recovery plans monitoring program that measures we created. They are solvable. www.lcrep.org Estuary Partnership Goals: Protect the ecosystem and species • Reduce toxic and conventional pollution • Provide information about the river to a range of audiences

Water Quality

grade Are pollutant levels in the lower Columbia River C increasing or decreasing?

Legacy contaminants, including DDT and PCBs, persist in the environment . New The Challenges contaminants including PBDEs are emerging . Additional monitoring is needed to identify contaminant sources and changes over time . Lack of investment is delaying contaminant for 2015 reduction and cleanup .

Investments in toxics 2005 – 2010 Activities PAHs, PCBs, and PBDEs were found DDT and PCBs are still detected monitoring have decreased throughout the lower Columbia in juvenile Chinook salmon. These The Estuary Partnership’s Water even while we have learned River in water, sediment, and banned contaminants continue to Quality Monitoring and Salmon more about the impacts of juvenile Chinook salmon. These accumulate through the food chain. Sampling 2004–2007 toxics on salmon survival and contaminants move from river water Their detection today demonstrates he project investigated human health. It’s time to and sediment into salmon prey and that they breakdown slowly and the presence, distribution change. We need to: are absorbed into salmon tissue. remain in the environment a very and concentrations of T PCBs in salmon tissue and PAHs in long time. • Invest as a region for the contaminants in water, sediment, and salmon prey exceeded estimated long-term; juvenile salmon at six sites. Fish were thresholds for delayed mortality, Impacts • Carry out long-term, analyzed for lipid (fat) content and increased disease susceptibility, and Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) multiple-site monitoring of contaminant concentrations, genetic reduced growth. are persistent, nonflammable contaminants, their sources, origin, otoliths (ear bones) for age chemicals widely used to insulate pathways of exposure for and growth rate, length and weight. Exposure to flame retardants and cool electrical equipment, and in organisms, and the effects The level of vitellogenin, a protein (PBDEs) is on the rise in the Pacific other products for water proofing and of combined toxics; associated with egg production Northwest. Chinook salmon near as a preservative. Their manufacture • Keep toxics from entering in reproductive female fish, was Portland have PBDE levels in the top was banned in the United States the water: host drug measured to test for the effect of 10% of reported values for fish in the in 1979 but use in closed electrical and pesticide take-back hormone-mimicking compounds on region. The two most commercially equipment is still permitted. PCBs programs and invest in juvenile fish. Stomach contents of fish used PBDE congeners were found are known to cause cancer. clean marina programs; were analyzed to determine the type in the water column, sediment, and of prey being eaten and the associated salmon and are frequently detected Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) • Clean up ‘hot spots’ that are contaminant levels. in people, fish, and other organisms. are persistent contaminants found in impairing ecosystem and Juvenile salmon from upriver stocks petroleum products and are created species health and economic The project was funded by the (such as Snake River and upper during incomplete combustion viability; and Northwest Power and Conservation Columbia stocks) are absorbing of carbon-based materials. Some • Integrate toxics information Council (NWPCC) and Bonneville toxic contaminants during their time PAHs have acute toxic effects, others into habitat restoration Power Administration (BPA); rearing and migrating in the lower accumulate in lipids, such as the fats prioritization to prevent principal partners were U.S. Geological Columbia River. PBDEs are doubling of invertebrates. Many PAHs are exposure to contaminants. Survey (USGS) and NOAA Fisheries. in fish every 1.6 years. known or suspected carcinogens.

2 Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership Polybrominated diphenyl ethers contaminants cause direct lethal NOAA Fisheries will analyze fish and people. Mercury comes from (PDBEs) are a group of chemicals effects, others have indirect sublethal tissue, blood, and stomach content atmospheric deposition and activities used as flame retardants in plastics effects – they alter salmonid growth, collected from this project, as well inside the basin. Unacceptably high and foam products. PBDEs are used reproduction, and development and as sampling at Mirror Lake for the levels of mercury in fish have resulted in insulation and foam for furniture, increase their mortality by predators, contaminants PAHs, PCBs, DDTs, in fish consumption advisories mattresses, automobile seats, plastics starvation, and disease. PBDEs, and estrogenic compounds. throughout the basin. Similarly, for computer housings and appliance the concentrations of banned DDT casings. Although the manufacture The full report, Lower Columbia River and Columbia River Toxics Reduction and PCBs exceed levels of concern and import of PBDEs were phased out Estuary Ecosystem Monitoring: Water Working Group resulting in fish consumption in 2004, they continue to be found Quality and Salmon Sampling Report, The EPA is leading a Columbia Basin advisories being issued by every state in humans and the environment. 2007 is available at www.lcrep.org. effort with federal, tribal, state, in the basin. PBDEs bioaccumulate in fish, and local governments, business marine mammals and birds, and Estuary Partnership Ecosystem interests, farmers, non-profit Fish Consumption Standard affect reproductive and neurological Monitoring Project partners and others to develop a The Confederated Tribes of the development. Studies in animals With funding from BPA, the Estuary toxics monitoring and reduction plan Umatilla Indian Reservation, the show PBDEs can affect the developing Partnership is partnering with NOAA for the Basin. Their work integrates Oregon Department of Environmental brain, altering behavior and learning Fisheries, Pacific Northwest National work of the Estuary Partnership in the Quality (ODEQ), and EPA are after birth and into adulthood. Laboratory (PNNL) and USGS to lower river. In 2009, EPA published developing a fish consumption Levels of PBDEs are rising in the collect juvenile salmon; salmon prey the Columbia River Basin: State of the standard more protective of human environment and people worldwide, and food web; and salmon habitat data River Report for Toxics, that summarized health. Native Americans consume but are highest in North America. at four to six sites annually. The focus the current knowledge about four 9–12 times more fish than other Children are at the most risk from of this project is to assess the lower major contaminants in the Columbia populations. Based on studies of fish these chemicals. Columbia River estuary ecosystem River Basin. These contaminants consuming populations in Oregon condition and trends, focusing on (mercury, DDT, PCBs, PBDEs) are and Washington, EPA is proposing Organochlorine pesticides, those habitats important for juvenile found throughout the basin at levels a consumption rate of 175 grams per like PCBs, are called “legacy salmon. When funds are identified that negatively affect fish, wildlife, day, equivalent to approximately contaminants” because they persist twenty-three eight-ounce fish in the environment. These also meals per month. The standard, include DDT, designed to kill insect up from the current 17.5 grams pests and widely used for decades. Contaminants in Salmon Stocks per day, will be the highest in the They accumulate in the food chain, Composite Samples of 5–10 Juvenile Chinook Salmon nation. The new standard may help reducing reproductive success for limit the amount of contaminants birds and increased risks of cancer that can enter Oregon’s waters and 120 for humans. DDT was banned in the the levels of toxics accumulating 100 ∑ DDTs United States in 1972. Other banned ∑ PBDEs in the aquatic organisms. pesticides include aldrin, dieldrin, 80 ∑ PCBs and chlordane, which also persist in 60 Columbia River Contaminants and Habitat Characterization the environment and organisms. 40 Whole Body (ng/g wet wt) (ng/g The USGS is researching emergent 20 Dietary exposure to PAHs, PCBs, contaminants in the environment and PBDEs render salmon more 0 and food web of the lower Columbia 7) susceptible to mortality caused (n=5) (n=5) River through a study called ConHab es (n=6) ia ia (n=2 by diseases. Multiple stressors ri ver (n=3) ia (Columbia River Contaminants lumb lumb e Ri llamette (n=4)lumb Co Co (contaminants and pathogens) can Hatche d Snak Wi Co and Habitat Characterization). Mi interact to limit the productivity of Upper Lower This work investigates the wild salmon populations. Population- concentrations of PBDEs, PCBs, scale models indicate that chemical 10,000 organochlorine pesticides (e.g., exposure may be a major source of ∑ DDTs DDTs), pharmaceuticals, estrogenic delayed, disease-induced mortality 8,000 ∑ PBDEs compounds, wastewater compounds, ∑ PCBs among outmigrant salmon in the 6,000 and others in water, sediment, Columbia River Basin, with rates invertebrates, resident fish, and 4,000

ranging from 1.5 – 9% depending lipid) (ng/g piscivorous (fish eating) birds. The Whole Body on residence time in the estuary. 2,000 transport of fine sediments and The health and success of Chinook 0 contaminants will be investigated salmon in the lower Columbia River 3) 7) with the goal of predicting (n=5) and upriver stocks are threatened by es (n=6) ia (n=1 (n=2 contaminant concentrations across ri ia ver (n=3) ia Ri a range of contaminants, including lumb lumb ke llamette (n=4)lumb the system. Hatche Co Co Wi Co PAHs, PCBs, PBDEs, DDT, current d Sna Mi ower use pesticides, copper, mercury, and Upper L hormone disruptors. Some of these (n=number of composite samples) (Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership, 2007)

www.lcrep.org 3 US Army Corps of Engineers concentrations in fish tissue persistent bioaccumulative toxic State of Washington Actions In 2005, the US Army Corps of significantly increased from 2002 to pollutants (PBTs) and source Washington became the first state Engineers (Army Corps) initiated 2008 and is found at concentrations reduction and control methods. in the nation to begin phasing out its study of Corbicula fluminea, the that exceed levels established by EPA • Implementing Pesticide use and sale of PBDEs in common freshwater Asian clam introduced for subsistence fishers and often Stewardship Partnerships in household items and in April 2010 into the lower Columbia River. Clams exceed threshold values used for fish agricultural watersheds. the first state in the nation to phase were collected from 37 sampling consumption advisories. ODEQ’s out the use of copper in auto brake • Hosting hazardous waste sites along the Columbia River toxics reduction efforts are directed pads, banning brake pads containing collection events and facilities between Skamokawa, Washington at both point and non-point pollution more than 5% copper by 2021. When for households, small businesses and Bonneville Dam. Clam tissue sources. Many reduction efforts are drivers use their brakes, friction and agricultural operations. The was analyzed for PAHs, PCBs, collaborative partnerships with other releases copper shaving that fall on events remove a source of toxic PBDEs, chlorinated pesticides, agencies and organizations. Toxic the road. When it rains, stormwater pollution that, if improperly bioaccumulative trace metals, reduction activities include: runoff carries the copper shaving to managed, could contaminate organotin, and lipids (body fat). rivers where they pose a hazard to • Developing or implementing water. Since 2006, ODEQ has Corbicula were fairly widespread salmon and other marine life. water quality improvement hosted five collection events and found at nearly all sampling plans (known as Total Maximum that have collected over 92,000 sites and all had detectable levels of In addition, the Department of Ecology Daily Loads, or “TMDLs”) for pounds of pesticides. bioaccumulative contaminant(s). toxics in a number of Columbia (WA Ecology) is also working on a • Working with EPA to clean River tributaries. These include number of toxics reduction efforts in up contaminated sediments Corbicula are a possible food source plans for the Willamette River, the Columbia Basin including: the Lower Willamette River in for sturgeon and other bottom Columbia Slough, Johnson • Developing water quality Portland. feeding fish, aquatic and terrestrial Creek, Pudding River, and improvement plans (TMDLs) for mammals (otter, mink and raccoons), Yamhill River. The plans address • Cleaning up abandoned mercury toxics in a number of Columbia piscivorous birds, and humans. mercury, legacy pesticides (such mines in the Willamette Basin. River tributaries. These include Toxins are bioaccumulating in as DDT and other organochlorine • Developing and enforcing plans for the Yakima, Spokane, clams and may further accumulate pesticides), current-use wastewater and stormwater Okanogan, Walla Walla and in the food chain, affecting fish, pesticide, PCBs, and arsenic. discharge permits. Palouse Rivers, and Lake mammals, and birds, and pose human The goal of the TMDL plans is to Chelan. The plans address legacy • Reducing the discharge of air consumption concerns. identify and control contaminant pesticides (such as DDT and toxics that could eventually end sources to meet water quality other organochlorine pesticides), State of Oregon Actions up in the Columbia River or its standards. PCBs, and arsenic. In 2007, ODEQ established a water tributaries. • Implementing new legislation • Cleaning up contaminated quality toxics monitoring program, • Working with EPA to lead a toxics on persistent pollutants (PBTs), sediments in the Columbia River beginning in the Willamette River monitoring effort in the Middle developing a priority list of and contaminated land in the Basin. Results show that mercury Columbia in 2008 and 2009. Columbia River basin. • Developing and enforcing Lower Columbia River Water Quality wastewater and stormwater and Salmon Sampling Summary 2007 discharge permits. • Reducing the toxics emitted to the air that eventually find their way Beaver Army Terminal to the Columbia River. • Highest PCBs in salmon • Reducing the amount of • Lowest lipid content Columbia City hazardous waste produced in the Columbia River basin and • Highest PAHs in salmon stomach contents improving the storage and disposal of hazardous waste. Poi nt Ad a ms

• PBDEs on sediment • Hosting pesticide programs to

• Low PAHs in salmon collect unused product. • Largest fish, with highest lipid content • Cleaning up the Hanford nuclear Confluence reservation, the largest superfund • Vitellogenin detected site in the world. All Sites Lower Willamette • Cleaning up Lake Roosevelt. • Pesticides and wastewater • Pesticides frequently compounds in the water detected in water • DDTs in salmon and • High PBDEs in SPMDs

stomach contents and salmon bodies W arr en dale • PCBs and PAHs in • Low DDTs in salmon bodies • Lowest PCBs and PBDEs on SPMDs, salmon, and • High PAHs in salmon bile sediment and in SPMDs stomach contents • Vitellogenin detected • PBDEs on sediment, in • Lowest PCBs in salmon SPMDs, and in salmon • Low PAHs, DDTs, and and stomach contents PBDEs in salmon

4 Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership Lower Columbia River Lower Columbia River Bi-State Water Quality Sites Monitored Since Program Sites: 1989 – 1995 Program End in 1995

Sediment (365 sampling sites) USGS Monitoring (1 site) • Fish (92 sampling sites)

The 1989 – 1995 Bi-State Water Quality Program remains the only ecosystem focused work that established baseline water quality data . Only one of the 500 sites monitored by the Bi-State program has been regularly monitored since the program ended in 1995 .

Are water temperatures in Do current dissolved oxygen salmon. Dissolved oxygen levels that Participants called for the Estuary the lower Columbia River levels in the lower Columbia drop below 1 – 2 milligrams often Partnership to: collect and analyze increasing or decreasing River support native aquatic result in fish kills. Levels can vary data at regular sites for a full suite of and do they support native species? greatly with water temperature and contaminants; host toxic reduction biological activity. Continuous projects; and provide consumer aquatic species? Generally yes, but summer monitoring shows daily peaks in information. Water temperatures continue to temperatures and shallow back- dissolved oxygen during the day when increase in the lower Columbia water habitats cause dissolved plants are photosynthesizing and lows May 2009: River threatening native species . oxygen levels to periodically drop as oxygen is consumed by animals. Habitat Restoration below state standards . Participants reviewed the progress Temperature is important to aquatic Other Estuary Partnership of habitat restoration efforts and organisms, including endangered Between 1995 and 2002, dissolved Efforts since 2005 current challenges: projects have salmonids which are adapted to oxygen levels in some reaches of the become more complicated, emphasis migrate, spawn, and rear in cold-water lower Columbia River fell below the Science to Policy Forums on fish survival numbers has streams. High water temperatures States’ minimum standard of eight In May 2007, the Estuary Partnership increased, and the supply of ready- are correlated with decreased milligrams per liter. Today, the lower initiated a forum series to bring to-go-projects has been exhausted. availability of dissolved oxygen and Columbia River is no longer officially together community leaders, Participants directed the Estuary increased susceptibility to disease. listed as impaired for dissolved scientists and practitioners to assess Partnership to enhance coordination Increased temperatures can also oxygen levels, but it is likely during the status of current ecosystem issues, and collaboration; expand funding; affect the metabolic processes of the summer and in reaches, including discuss effective approaches, and increase the ecosystem context for both salmon and their predators and shallow back-water habitats, levels guide Estuary Partnership activities to salmon recovery; and complete our constrain salmonid access to shallow are lower than optimal for salmon. address identified gaps. work on strategic prioritization. water habitats. Aquatic plants, invertebrates, and May 2007: June 2010: The average daily maximum fish all require oxygen; dissolved What Do Community Leaders Being Accountable for Investments temperature over a seven-day period oxygen is a measure of the amount of and Scientists Need to Know This forum will focus on ways to must be 68° F to maintain salmon and oxygen contained in water. When Over 150 participants offered ensure investments get the results steelhead migration. Lower Columbia levels fall below five milligrams per three key messages: 1) explain we want when information changes, River water temperatures regularly liter aquatic life feels stress, the problems, the risks to human projections aren’t realized or exceed this standard during low flow especially cold-water species such as health, potential remedies, and community needs shift. Participants periods in the summer. full costs; 2) implement reduction actions now; and 3) invest in long- will address regional accountability and identify appropriate metrics. Temperatures in the term, comprehensive monitoring. Columbia River and Participants called for the Estuary We have worked with Congress tributaries are rising Partnership to step up efforts to since 2008 to increase resources for many reasons. secure funds for toxics monitoring for contaminate reduction. We will Reservoirs behind and reduction. continue to work to secure passage of the dams absorb heat the Columbia River Restoration Act during the summer January 2008: of 2010. raising temperatures, Toxic Contaminants and the loss of riparian Participants examined the lack vegetation decreases of sustained monitoring and our shade. Stormwater challenge to assess changes in inputs and the effects toxics levels and locations, and the of climate change also implication of known toxics levels on affect water temperature. USGS and NOAA water quality monitoring ecosystem health and the economy.

www.lcrep.org 5 Estuary Partnership Goals: Protect the ecosystem and species • Reduce toxic and conventional pollution • Provide information about the river to a range of audiences es c es ooforcg Eldin ooforcg ronmental Servi ronmental nvi ounty Bui

Land Use ortland E ity of P: CtoPho ity of P: w of Multnomah C ieV

grade Do our land use decisions protect lower Columbia C+ River water quality?

With more people came more roads, roofs, parking lots and other impervious surfaces . The more impervious surface, the more potential runoff of contaminates into water The Challenges bodies . Innovative stormwater management features that lessen the impacts of for 2015 development on water quality have increased .

We are not currently measuring How does impervious gasoline. Along residential streets, matter, nitrogen, and sulfur. surface affect water quality? pet waste, fertilizers, herbicides, Finally, emerging contaminants the amount of impervious detergents, and vehicle-associated such as pharmaceuticals, hormones, e are unable to report how pollutants are common. Roofs often caffeine, and flame retardants are surface. This is critical in many acres of impervious collect contaminants from the also associated with stormwater. surface were added since order to accurately assess the W air – which in the lower Columbia These pollutants decrease water 2005 or the percentage of the lower River study area includes mercury quality, decrease habitat quality, and impact of development on Columbia River watershed covered generated from inside and outside negatively impact fish and wildlife. water quality. The data can in impervious surface. Tracking the basin, as well as particulate impervious surface levels over time motivate communities and across the 4,300 square mile lower individuals to use techniques to Columbia River study area currently Relationship Between is not done but if tracked could reduce or eliminate stormwater provide an excellent barometer of Impervious Cover and Stream Quality runoff. The alternative of stream health. When impervious surfaces levels in a watershed collecting and treating runoff >25% reach more than 25% it’s typically places a huge financial burden a sign of an unhealthy stream. As impervious surface levels rise, on citizens. Preventing Watershed processes do not support stream quality typically declines. healthy streams stormwater runoff is not only Impervious surfaces prevent rain less costly, but less harmful. 25% from naturally soaking into the ground. As water flows over a hard Stream health impacted

surface, it picks up and carries a Impervious Cover Watershed 10% range of pollutants to local streams Stream health good or directly to the Columbia River. In parking lots and driveways, Level of Stream Quality contaminants include mercury and other heavy metals, oils, greases and As impervious surface levels in a watershed increase, they typically correlate with a corresponding downward trend in stream quality.

6 Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership New Stormwater Management Reusing land and redeveloping The Field Guide allows local Techniques Increasing underused sites is one of the best ways governments unfamiliar with New approaches that allow rainwater to limit new impervious surfaces. stormwater friendly techniques, to infiltrate the ground are being Promoting redevelopment and their cost, effectiveness, used more regularly to help lessen transit-oriented development greatly attractiveness, and maintenance the harmful impacts of stormwater focuses growth where services exist to requirements to see real applications runoff. Rather than collecting and support it and minimizes the impact ‘in their backyard.’ It shows how treating stormwater, more and on open lands. innovative stormwater management more communities, developers, and techniques can and have been homeowners are adopting changes 2005 – 2010 Estuary effectively used in the region. that manage stormwater on-site. Partnership Activities

Photo: City of Portland Environmental Services Services Environmental of Portland City Photo: Ecoroof Building of Multnomah County View Field Guide to Water Quality Measuring Impervious Surface Parking lots are being designed Friendly Development The Estuary Partnership is using and built to capture and infiltrate In 2006 the Estuary Partnership remote sensing and ground sampling stormwater on-site. Ecoroofs are launched the web based “Field from a 2007 land cover classification sprouting up across Portland to Guide to Water Quality Friendly to complete an extensive land cover capture rainfall, in some cases Development” to showcase innovative analysis. When completed in 2011, treating more than 85% of the stormwater management projects we can provide a 10-year analysis of runoff. Some sidewalks, streets, and in the lower Columbia River the change in impervious surface in The Columbia River the watershed, as well as changes in parking lots are testing permeable communities. The web site provides The Columbia is the fourth forest cover, wetland acreage, and pavers as a surface. Retaining water details on twenty-three different largest river in North America other land cover types. These and on-site helps restore the natural stormwater management techniques and drains 258,000 square other trends will be reported in 2011 hydrologic conditions of a watershed. including grassy swales, ecoroofs, miles. Over eight million and be included in the 2015 Report Native forests, wetlands, meadows, infiltration planters and permeable people live in the Columbia on the Estuary. pastures and other pre-development pavers. Each technique is supported Basin and all depend on it landscape features capture rainfall, with technical information and to some degree for their allowing it to infiltrate into soil landscape examples that include the livelihood and quality of life. and groundwater. Parking lot or project location, a short description, Over 2,000 species of wildlife development designs that incorporate photos, and ownership information. live in the lower river during rain gardens, bioretention systems some part of their life. The and natural vegetation allow water fourteen hydropower dams to naturally soak into the ground on the mainstem Columbia filtering out contaminants. provide over 75% of the power for the Northwest, more than Innovative stormwater management any other river in the US. Water projects in Portland have made the from the Columbia irrigates city a national leader for sustainable half of the 7.3 million acres of design, including recognition by income producing farm and EPA in its 2010 Environmental ranch land in Idaho, Oregon Protection Agency report “Residential and Washington. The river’s Construction Trends in America’s five deep water ports are the Metropolitan Regions .” Citizens can nation’s primary terminals take a self-guided cycling tour of for several importers of Portland stormwater projects focused manufactured goods. The river exclusively on green streets, or carries 39% of the all the wheat stormwater projects as pieces of art. bound for export in the US, The City of Portland is two years into and is the major depot for the a five-year program to add 43 acres of nation’s bounty of grain. The ecoroofs, 920 green street facilities, Columbia Gorge is the wind and plant 83,000 trees across the surfing capital of the world and city. Through the City’s Clean River is designated a National Scenic Rewards program, homeowners Area. Hundreds of thousands who capture stormwater on-site are of residents and visitors hike, offered a discount of up to 100% of fish, bike, and boat on its the stormwater charges on their water waters and along its shores all and sewer bill. year long.

Estuary Partnership Schoolyard Stormwater Site at Alice Ott Middle School

www.lcrep.org 7 Estuary Partnership Goals: Protect the ecosystem and species • Reduce toxic and conventional pollution • Provide information about the river to a range of audiences

Stewardship

grade Has the Estuary Partnership provided citizens with A opportunities to learn about the lower Columbia River?

Between 2005 and 2010 the Estuary Partnership Stewardship program increased emphasis The Challenges on outdoor applied learning . Since 2005, we have provided 84,500 youth and adult for 2015 learning experiences, an increase of 46% from 2005 .

The approximately 16,800 n 2005, we refined our classroom Environmental Educators are full- changes, and link to a service learning students we work with each programs to bring the outdoors time professionals with over 30 project or to field experiences. year represent a small fraction Iinside, bring students outdoors years combined experience teaching of the student population in more often and increased emphasis complex science concepts to students Educational Field Trips typically our study area (about 6%). on service learning, field work and in the classroom, in the field and on follow a series of classroom lessons Every year our programs fill on-river trips. water. They deliver programs that and provide students with an outdoor up earlier in the school year. incorporate proven “best education learning experience that directly Demand for science based, This change significantly increased practices” and encourage critical applies to their classroom work. Since outdoor focused educational demand for our programs. We are thinking, problem solving, decision 2005, we have provided 5,917 field programming outpaces our fully booked by January of each year making, action and reflection. programs. Field trips take place in ability to provide it. If we had with a waiting list at year end. Six full- Working closely with teachers, we a nearby natural area, a local park, the resources, we could provide time and two seasonal Environmental continually refine 25 classroom a state forest or national wildlife on-river educational trips on Educators now provide our programs. lessons and extensive field curriculum refuge along the Columbia River. our 34-foot canoes every day We have diversified from 100% that meet state standards and grade Students spend time exploring, between April 1 and November 1. public funding to over 50 corporate level requirements in Oregon and observing, and learning firsthand sponsors, several private foundations, Washington. The Estuary Partnership about the ecosystem through direct The success of our Stewardship and six different public entities, works with teachers to tailor experience. This may involve Programs clearly demonstrates demonstrating the ability to develop programming to their classroom monitoring water quality, creating the considerable unmet need and sustain programs. need. We use the Columbia River as journal entries, completing exercises for outdoor applied learning the subject and the laboratory. about birds, native plants, soils, programs for students in the Has the Estuary Partnership and other science subjects. K-12 schools. Yet schools provided science-based Classroom Lessons may be one are cutting field programs programs to students? time visits or serve as a precursor Service Learning Projects involve and some even minimize Since 2005, the Estuary or postscript to an educational field a series of classroom lessons and an science curriculum to meet Partnership has provided 76,500 trip, a service learning project, or an on-the-ground application of science reading and math scores. student learning experiences on-river trip. In the past five years, concepts that result in measurable Some private funders have throughout the Estuary we offered 1,800 hours of classroom environmental improvement to the expressed concern having Partnership study area . instruction. Lessons are typically service learning site. Most projects to make up for what public 50 minutes long, include hands-on focus on removing invasive species entities fail to fund. All Estuary Partnership Stewardship activities, discussions about local or planting native trees and shrubs. Programs are science based. Our watershed issues, environmental Students learn through direct

8 Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership experience the negative impact of on-site stormwater infiltration Community Paddles on the big The Estuary Partnership Summer invasive plants on riparian habitats facility and often a corresponding canoes have taken youth and adults On-River Family Event was revived or the positive impacts of native outdoor classroom, and then help along Lake River in Ridgefield, WA, in 2009. We now host the event in trees and shrubs on water quality, construct the facility as a service Willamette River near Portland, Vancouver at Frenchmans Bar Park riparian areas, and fish and wildlife. learning project. The program has Multnomah Channel near Sauvie and feature our 34-foot canoes for Programs grew from serving 3,100 radically changed a section of each Island, and at sites along the lower on-river paddling contests. students in 2000– 2005 to 12,430. school’s grounds and the projects Columbia River. Paddles also provide Between 2005 and 2010 we provided continue to infiltrate hundreds of opportunities to youth through park Is the Estuary Partnership 7,235 adult and student service gallons of stormwater each year. districts, and SUN (Schools Uniting providing teachers with learning experiences. Neighborhoods) Schools. In April access to environmental Has the Estuary Partnership 2010, we provided a month of paddles education resources, On-River Trips use the 34-foot provided opportunities in Scappoose: taking every 4th, 5th, trainings and workshops? canoes. Each canoe holds sixteen for citizens to directly and 6th grader on the river as part of people and two Estuary Partnership experience, protect, or restore their classroom programs, and offering Since 2005, the Estuary Partnership staff which allows us to accommodate the lower Columbia River? a community wide paddle as well. has worked with over 500 teachers an entire class of students. Our Since 2005, the Estuary in 35 school districts throughout Lower Columbia River Water Trail on-river programming has quickly Partnership’s Stewardship the Estuary Partnership study The Estuary Partnership coordinates become our most requested outdoor Programs have made almost area. Teachers participating in our management of the trail with the applied learning experience as 30,000 youth and adult education programs gain skills, Lower Columbia River Water Trail teachers recognize the unique nature connections to the Columbia knowledge and the connection committee. We conduct Water Trail and educational opportunities through a wide range of activities . to environmental resources they associated with a paddle on a local Stewardship projects and host the need to incorporate environmental Water Trail web site which was waterway. Since purchasing the Weekend Volunteer Plantings education into their curriculum and completely overhauled in 2008. The canoes in 2007, we have taken 6,517 have resulted in 21,000 native lead meaningful watershed education Google maps based web site provides students on the river. trees and shrubs planted and on their own. paddlers with the information they 190 truck loads of invasive plants need to plan day or overnight trips on The Estuary Partnership has also With an Environmental Educator being removed since 2005. Estuary the trail. conducted eight teacher workshops at each end, students are a captive Partnership plantings take place every audience for education, river otter since 2005. These expand teachers’ weekend from November through The Volunteer Water Quality sightings, osprey fishing, the feel of knowledge of environmental April. Projects focus on restoring Monitoring Event was a two-week the river’s current or ocean’s tides concepts, teach hands-on riparian habitat under the guidance of event in September 2005 – 2007. and other unique experiences only classroom and field activities, Estuary Partnership Environmental During the events, 3,174 students available on water. and give teachers the confidence Educators at three sites: Lacamas and adults monitored sites along to work with students in their Creek, Ridgefield National Wildlife the Columbia River mainstem and The big canoes are conducive for schoolyard or local natural area. Refuge, and Steigerwald Lake select tributaries. Beginning in teaching groups of people while on National Wildlife Refuge. Volunteers 2008 we integrated volunteer water the water, are easily transported, and plant an average of 300 – 500 trees quality monitoring into our on-river extremely safe. Before the canoes, or shrubs in one four hour project. education programs and field trips. we relied on jet boats and individual kayaks to provide on-water programs. Jet boats were limited to the Willamette River, were expensive, routes were Estuary Partnership Stewardship Project Sites fixed by the operator and noise levels limited teaching. Individual kayak rentals were difficult due to varying levels of skill among students.

Schoolyard Stormwater Projects have provided 5,195 students with hands-on environmental learning in schoolyard construction projects. Between 2005 and 2010, we

completed Schoolyard Stormwater Ocean Pacific Projects at the Centennial Learning Center, Alice Ott Middle School, and Legend Harvey Scott School, and a project at Humboldt School is nearly complete. On-going Volunteer and/or Service Learning Project Site During these projects students receive a series of classroom lessons On-river Program Site on watershed and stormwater issues, Water Trail Stewardship work with a professional landscape Project Site architect to help them design an Schoolyard Stormwater Project Site Participating School Districts

www.lcrep.org 9 Lower Columbia River and Estuary Lo w e r Co L u m b i a ri v e r es t u a r y Pa r t n e r s h i p St u d y Ar e a Pacific Ocean Pacific

Legend

Cities Major Roads County Lines Estuary Partnership Study Area Extent

Columbia River Basin

Washington MT

Oregon Idaho

WY

NV UT

0 5 10 15 20 Miles

www.lcrep.org Lower Columbia River and Estuary Lo w e r Co l u m b i a Ri v e r Es t u a r y Pa r t n e r s h i P st u d y ar e a Estuary Partnership Goals: Protect the ecosystem and species • Reduce toxic and conventional pollution • Provide information about the river to a range of audiences

Habitat

grade Are we gaining or losing habitat in the lower Columbia River?

Restoration partners restored 16,235 acres of habitat, meeting the Estuary Partnership Management Plan restoration goal for 2010; a major accomplishment yet less than half The Challenges of what has been lost since settlement . The next level of restoration is more for 2015 challenging . We are not tracking habitat loss .

Habitat restoration is one he Estuary Partnership and a land cover analysis that will allow us infrastructure, and surrounding of the keys to recovering the over one hundred partners to track changes in habitat types over private property, as well as water level health of the lower Columbia T have restored 16,235 acres a 10-year period and this will help. elevations to even know whether the River and the species that of habitat since 1999. The projects project is feasible. Gathering this depend on it. breached dikes, replaced culverts, Future habitat restoration projects data takes time and money. Expanded removed or improved tide gates, will likely be more difficult for many research on salmon behavior and the As the number of restored planted riparian areas, purchased reasons. An emerging challenge is types of habitats they need and use acres moves beyond 16,000 in lands for conservation, constructed identifying and developing projects. most will help prioritize restoration 2010, the challenges increase bridges, placed large wood to improve Between 2005 and 2010, it became actions, habitat types, and locations to and the variables are more salmon habitat, and realigned clear to the Estuary Partnership and target for restoration and protection. complex. We need to track streams to reconnect with their other restoration practitioners that habitat loss to know if there is a historic floodplains. ready-to-go projects were becoming Some restoration work may be net gain. scarce and they are often small, controversial or in conflict with Regional coordination has increased. so the fish habitat gain may not be community goals. Community To achieve the next level, we Conferences, workshops, increased significant. Large complex projects values and landowner needs must be need to recognize that the federal agency coordination, Estuary would lead to greater results, but incorporated into habitat restoration system within which we are Partnership Science Work Group they are complicated and can take and relationships built. We need to working is a dynamic one. We meetings, and Estuary Partnership several years to develop. The scoping understand that the actual restoration need to sit together, value the Science to Policy Forums have and planning process is more time of the ecosystem takes longer than expertise and experience of all brought community leaders, consuming and costly. New projects the dike removal or placement partners, commit to the goal practitioners and scientists together often require baseline data, extensive of large woody debris. There is and be flexible about how we to advance our knowledge and ensure technical expertise during the growing pressure – and maybe get there. We need to practice that we were working together, more planning stage, and funding to develop competition – to ‘find’ projects as what we preach about adaptive strategically and efficiently. and analyze restoration alternatives. mitigation needs increase along with management. When things Data collection and analysis is non-mitigation goals. The Estuary are not going right, it should We are not so sure about the net gain. paramount to establish baseline data Partnership and BPA are already be okay to change direction Habitat loss is not being tracked. We needed to measure success later. For addressing some of these issues with new information. There do not know exactly what acres and example, practitioners considering a by providing partners with project is no fast way to recover types of habitat are still being lost. dike breach project will need elevation development assistance and access endangered fish. It will be the The Estuary Partnership is completing data of the dike, any nearby public to a variety of technical resources. accumulation of small projects, better connected and more strategically identified, along with large complex projects that will give the results we need.

12 Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership Funding is limited and how it can be Are restoration efforts used is restricted. Funding from the increasing opportunities NWPCC/BPA and NOAA provided for fish and wildlife to use the majority of restoration funding previously inaccessible between 2005 and 2010. Their support habitat? has been critical to the progress Yes . The Estuary Partnership achieved to date, but new funding prioritizes tidal reconnection sources with broader missions projects such as dike breaches and would provide the region additional tide gate retrofits or removals . resources and greater flexibility. Tidal reconnection projects provide Capacity of local entities is stretched unique benefits to the lower Columbia and access is limited for the hydraulic River. More than 50% of estuarine or structural engineers, modelers, wetlands have been cut off from experienced fish biologists, soil the lower Columbia River’s daily scientists, and other technical tidal cycle since the 1880s. Diking, personnel needed to design and tide gates, and small dams radically implement restoration projects. changed the landscape and made Are important fish and Before Stephens Creek Restoration Project a broad range of habitat types inaccessible to fish and wildlife, wildlife habitats being Pre Project: Stephens Creek enters the Willamette River via a five-foot diameter, protected and restored in 350-foot long decommissioned combined sewer overflow pipe. The pipe was particularly to juvenile salmon. Tidal the lower Columbia River? removed as part of the City of Portland, Bureau of Environmental Services project reconnections restore the twice daily to improve conditions at the mouth of Stephens Creek. tidal cycle to these critical areas. Over Yes . The number of habitat time, a diked former pasture can be restoration projects implemented transformed into a tidal wetland that by restoration partners in the lower provides essential rearing, feeding, Columbia River has grown from 74 and resting areas for juvenile salmon. in 2005 to more than 134 projects in 2010 . At Fort Clatsop, near Astoria, Oregon for example, a failing tide gate was Of the 134 projects, the Estuary replaced with a bridge to restore tidal Partnership directly funded 50 on- connection to 45 acres of historic the-ground restoration projects with floodplain. This project, led by more than 100 partners, restoring or the Columbia River Estuary Study protecting 2,958 acres, including the Taskforce, along with the National reconnection of 570 acres of historic Park Service and others, allowed fish floodplain to tidal influence, and to access what will eventually become the opening of 58.2 miles of stream high quality rearing habitat along the habitat. Estuary Partnership support Lewis and Clark River. came from NWPCC/BPA and NOAA. The Walluski River Tidal Restoration In the last five years, the Estuary project removed a portion of a Partnership funded 41 projects After Stephens Creek Restoration Project remnant levee to enhance the tidal restoring 1,875 acres, 40.4 stream connection and added large woody Post Project: Stephen’s Creek flows freely into the Willamette River. The streambank miles and reconnecting 123 acres to was regraded to a 3:1 slope to allow native vegetation to re-establish, stabilize the debris in the floodplain and in tidal influence. banks, cool the stream and provide fish habitat. Large wood structures, as well as river channels to increase habitat snags and brush piles, clearly visible in the post project photo, were added along complexity. Tidal reconnection The Estuary Partnership examined the creek and the Willamette River to increase structural habitat and conditions favorable for salmon. Revegetation activities included planting 3,500 bare root projects quickly change the two factors when assessing habitat in native trees and shrubs and 1,000 live pole cuttings. landscape, but other habitat 2005 and 2010: habitat restoration features can take longer to develop. and habitat accessibility. The majority Historically, large downed trees and of the work supported by the Estuary salmon populations, including a key natural food web. For example, tree stumps were an integral part of Partnership targets the thirteen ESA population of chum salmon. extensive and ongoing revegetation the lower Columbia River ecosystem. listed salmon species found in the work at the Sandy River Delta by Rather than wait decades for newly Columbia River. For example, in While much of the work focuses Ash Creek Forest Management planted trees to mature and fall, Washington’s Grays River watershed on salmon recovery, restoration has restored native plant diversity, some projects are adding large wood the Columbia Land Trust permanently projects provide benefits to the larger provided richer forage for fish to assist and accelerate the natural protected 326 acres at the confluence ecosystem. Restoration improves and wildlife, improved hydrologic restoration processes underway. of Crazy Johnson Creek and the Grays water quality, provides habitat for function, and improved habitat for River. This site supports several many species, and supports the migratory neo-tropical birds.

www.lcrep.org 13 Habitat Restoration Efforts in the Lower Columbia River Estuary 1999 – 2010

1 Walluski R. Multiple 25 Lower Willamette 92 Sturgeon Lake Projects Moorage 93 Teal Slough 2 Blind Slough Restoration 27 Col. Est. Env. Ed. 1 95 Breeze Creek and Cons. 33 Wallacut River 96 Lewis River Preserve 3 Grays Bay Multiple 34 Chinook River 97 Lockwood Creek Projects 35 Port of Astoria 98 Mason Creek 4 Lacamas Creek Multiple 38 Skipanon River 99 Eagle Island Projects 39 Barrett Slough 100 Ridgefield NWR 5 Malarkey Ranch 40 Hanson Creek 101 Salmon Creek 6 Scappoose Bottomlands 41 Johnson Slough 102 Shillapoo NWR Multiple Projects 42 Larson Slough 106 Multnomah Channel 7 Fort Columbia 43 Vera Slough 107 Burlington Bottoms 8 Germany Creek 44 Crosel Creek 108 McCarthy Creek 9 Sandy R. Delta Multiple 45 Green Slough 109 Harborton Wetlands Projects 46 Haven Island 111 Vancouver Wat 10 Skamakowa Creek/ 47 Clarks Dismal Nitch Resource Center Dead Slough 50 Hogan Ranch 112 Cispus-Col. Springs 11 Lewis & Clark River 51 Otter Point 113 Woods Landing 13 Willow Grove 53 Chinook Diversion 114 Beaver Creek 14 Alder Creek 54 Lower Lewis River 117 Lower Washougal R. 19 Fort Clatsop 55 Oaks Bottom Refuge 118 Washougal Oaks 20 Smith & Byee Lakes 59 Stephens Cr. Confluence 119 Steigerwald NWR Multiple Projects 60 Crazy Johnson Creek 120 Duncan Creek 21 Mirror Lake Multiple 61 John Day River 121 Hamilton Creek Projects 62 Wolf Bay 123 Columbia Slough 22 Ramsey Lake Multiple 63 Lewis & Clark NWR 124 Hardy Creek Projects 66 Grays PUD Bar 125 Lord Island 23 Nelson Creek 67 Nikka Creek 126 Ruby Lake Legend 24 Conyers Creek 68 Onieda Rd. 128 Whitaker Ponds 69 Warren Slough 129 Vanport Wetlands 71 Brooks Slough 132 Columbia Slough Conf. Estuary Partnership 72 Julia Butler Hanson NWR Multiple Projects 73 Duck Creek 133 Deer Island Rest. Funded Project 75 Birnie Creek Assessment 76 Ryan Point 135 Perkins Creek 77 Clatskanie Bottoms 136 Tryon Cr. Confluence Other Partner’s Project 79 Anunde Island 137 Elochoman Slough 80 Westport Slough Acquisition Completed 81 Abernathy Creek 143 Big Creek 83 Crims Island 148 Col. Est. Env. Ed. 2 84 Walker Island 152 Sauvie Island - Underway 85 Fox Creek Gay Lake 86 Trojan Wetlands 154 Widgeon Lake Estuary Partnership 87 Sandy Island 168 Baker Bay Eelgrass 88 Deer Island Assessment Study Area 89 Sauvie Island - 169 NOAA Marine Debris Elledge Property Removal 90 Round Lake 170 Coal Creek Slough 91 Sauvie Island Wildlife 171 Megler Creek Design Refuge 175 Lewis River Mud Lake

2005 – 2010 Estuary sites based on disturbances at and pile structures on habitat and strategically focus Partnership Advances in the landscape and site scale. conditions for juvenile salmon and investments. These included: Habitat Restoration We are now adding data on other species. • Two-day Columbia River historic habitat change and The Estuary Partnership’s Habitat • Between 2005 and 2010, our Estuary Conferences in Astoria juvenile salmon suitability Restoration program includes a Science Work Group met on a in 2006, 2008 and 2010 with to the prioritization and we variety of technical, scientific and nearly monthly basis, providing more than 125 participants will incorporate the Columbia regional coordination efforts that a forum for public, private, discussing emerging issues and River Estuary Ecosystem advance habitat restoration work in tribal and non-profit scientists sharing innovative strategies. Classification, a hierarchical the lower Columbia River. to share information about the • Four “Science to Policy” map of habitats. With data such river and provide guidance forums focused on habitat as juvenile salmonid usage, the Advances between 2005 and 2010 to the Estuary Partnership’s restoration, toxics reduction, Classification can help identify include: Technical Programs. community needs and potential project sites. • We reconvened scientists in 2009 • We initiated Action Effectiveness accountability. (See page 5) • In 2008, we completed the first to refine the habitat restoration Monitoring in 2007 to monitor • We developed outreach tools digital shoreline inventory of criteria originally developed habitat restoration success at to share progress and lessons 630 miles of the mainstem in 2001 by over 100 regional four projects – each had used a learned including – Habitat and islands. We analyzed and scientists. We incorporated different restoration technique. Restoration Case Studies and Habitat classified data and conditions a salmon recovery focus and This evaluation will allow us to Restoration Program 2000 – 2009 . in a GIS database that will allow strengthened the criteria to focus begin to adaptively manage the us to conduct an analysis of • We transitioned our website on critical functions and habitat effectiveness of both the project changing shoreline conditions in to a Google based mapping types to ensure the restoration of types and the cumulative impact the future. application that makes ecologically significant areas. of projects. restoration, monitoring, • We initiated a pilot program in • We completed a restoration • We hosted or co-hosted several and toxics data accessible to 2008 to assess the impacts of prioritization in 2006 that events to enhance regional the public. removing or modifying pile dikes identifies habitat restoration communication and collaboration

14 Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership The Mighty Columbia Restoration Acres by Year The history of the Columbia starts thirteen million years ago with an outpouring of molten lava from north south fissures along the present day

800 16 border of Washington and Oregon. Basalt floods came 700 14 wave after wave for four million years, leaving a blanket of rock 600 12 five thousand feet thick. This Columbia Plateau diverted 500 10 the ancient River in a massive detour, Big Bend. The river was 400 8 forced west, then south, then east to meet the Snake river 300 6 before it finally turned west for its final run to the Pacific. 200 4 Between five million and 100 2 two million years ago, as the Columbia continued to bend 0 0 and eat away at the basalt, the Cascades Mountain began to arch up.

During the last ice age, two million to 12,000 years ago, The Importance of Habitat of other species has been greatly The Estuary Partnership erosion and stiff winds spread Restoration in the Estuary diminished. Management Plan (1999), the sand and silt across the NWPPC Lower Columbia Province Historically, lower Columbia River Columbia Plateau, stacking up Habitat restoration aims to restore Plan (2004, amended 2008), the fish and wildlife used a wide variety 150 feet. the habitat conditions and ecological Fish and Wildlife Program, the of estuarine habitats for shelter, processes and conditions that species draft NOAA Columbia River Estuary About 14,000 to 12,000 years food, rearing, and other functions and a healthy ecosystem depend on. Recovery Module for Salmon and ago, catastrophic floods began. important in their life cycle. Steelhead (2010), the States of Ice formed a giant dam 2,500 However, the estuary does not look Native salmon, other native fish and Oregon and Washington Recovery feet high, forming behind it a or function like it did 100 years wildlife depend on a wide range of Plans, the Biological Opinion for five hundred cubic mile lake. ago: approximately 84,000 acres of ecological conditions and processes the Federal Columbia River Power floodplain have been converted to Suddenly in geologic time, to thrive. Salmon in particular System (2000, 2004, 2008), and agricultural, urban or other uses – the ice dam let go and the lake depend on a wide variety of habitat the EPA Columbia Basin State of a habitat loss in excess of 50%. exploded into a flood that types. Development, diking, flow the River Report for Toxics (2009) rampaged with ten times the changes, and other modifications to consistently identify habitat loss and Every single ESA listed salmonid in combined flow of all the rivers the ecosystem directly affect species– toxic contamination as threats to fish the Columbia Basin uses the estuary of the world, travelling 50 whether by changing predator prey and wildlife. twice during its life cycle. Islands, miles an hour and releasing relationships, cutting off access to mud flats, salt water marshes, scrub energy, 33 times greater than habitat, or decreasing access to the shrub wetlands, forested wetlands, the largest earthquake. food web. sandy beaches, and a variety of l Schulman : NeiPhoto Floods occurred at least 40 other habitat types provide salmon Most habitat restoration projects times, ripping away silt, with food sources and cool water have specific immediate restoration blasting through rock, creating with appropriate levels of oxygen, goals: to re-open salmonid access a tormented landscape of clarity, and salinity; shallow off to previously cut off habitat, to coulees, dry falls, and barren channel habitats for resting, feeding restore tidal influence, to reestablish channels. They found their way and refuge; and the right channel riparian vegetation. One of the most to the Pacific, reaming out the contours and current velocities. important benefits is longer term: Cascade canyon. Landslides the creation of self sustaining and The wide range of habitats in the dropped as many as fifty square stable ecological processes that will lower Columbia River and the miles of earth shaping the enhance and maintain the desired benefits those habitats provide to north side. habitat over time. salmon, humans, and hundreds

www.lcrep.org 15 Estuary Partnership Goals: Protect the ecosystem and species • Reduce toxic and conventional pollution • Provide information about the river to a range of audiences

Endangered Species

grade Are threatened and endangered species in the C+ lower Columbia River recovering?

Today, thirty-two species of plants, fish and wildlife that live in or use the lower Columbia River are listed as threatened or endangered under the ESA; in 2004 there The Challenges were twenty-four . Lower Columbia River salmon remain threatened . The bald eagle is no longer listed as endangered – a national success story . The Columbian White-tailed for 2015 deer remains endangered, but populations are showing improvements .

Although the number of Lower Columbia River spawn. Conditions anywhere along also increase competition for food Columbian White-tailed deer Chinook Salmon that continuum can play a large role in and territory; decrease the carrying in the lower Columbia River is salmon survival rates. capacity of habitat; increase predation n 2005, we chose the Lower healthy, it lacks a third viable by larger hatchery fish; and increase Columbia River Chinook salmon Many past practices contributed subpopulation in a secure and risk of overharvest. Fishing harvests to represent the thirteen species to these ESA listings. Floodplain suitable habitat. Access to more I also played a role. of salmon and steelhead listed as diking, urbanization, logging, suitable protected habitat along threatened or endangered under the hydropower facilities and agriculture Salmon spend an average of four years the lower Columbia River is key. ESA. In 2010, all thirteen species lead to significant reductions in in the ocean making ocean conditions remain listed. spawning and rearing habitat. Loss of an important driver of salmon survival. To further advance the bald estuary and tidal freshwater habitat Warmer ocean temperatures hinder eagle’s recovery, removal Annual salmon returns are highly including tributary confluences, has salmon survival, colder conditions of contaminants is critical. variable from year to year, even over been significant for fall Chinook. increase the upwelling that brings Identifying and cleaning up five year periods. Salmon have an Spring-run populations have largely more nutrients to the surface for toxic hot spots and pesticide exceedingly complex life history. been lost as the result of dams that salmon to feed on. Around 1977, take back events are two Juvenile salmon emerge in Columbia blocked access to their high-elevation temperatures of the north Pacific opportunities. Research is River tributary streams in late habitat. Hydropower operations, flow Ocean became warmer. In the 1990s needed into the impact of winter or spring. They may spend a diversions for irrigation and municipal they began to decrease. These shifts emerging contaminants on year migrating downstream to the uses, and dredging activities are often in response to global eagle reproductive rates. ocean or as little as a month or two. impacted the natural hydrology in the climate shifts such as El Nino and La Bald eagles need appropriate Stream type salmon are typically lower river, lowering surface water Nina, and the longer term (20 – 30 roosting areas away from the fall run species that spawn in elevations, altering habitat forming years) Pacific decadal oscillation. spring and migrate downstream development, along healthy processes and changing water Chinook salmon numbers are now in as little as a month. Ocean type rivers and streams with velocities, temperature, and dissolved generally higher than in previous are typically spring run species abundant fish and wildlife gas content. Traditional hatchery years; but, these recent increases are that spawn in August or September food sources. Site specific produced fish differ from wild fish likely short term fluctuations, not a and then migrate downstream the management plans would in their behavior, appearance, and sign of recovery. provide for long-term following spring. Both types continue or physiology and can decrease availability of habitat. rearing in the North Pacific, reaching genetic diversity which lowers disease Fortunately these past practices are maturity in two to eight years before resistance and ability to recover changing and that will help with For threatened and endangered returning to their native stream to from disturbances. Hatchery fish can species recovery. salmonids, the actions are the same: remove contaminants and restore habitat.

16 Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership We are unlikely to see lower Columbia Thirty years ago, occupied bald eagle The number of occupied bald eagle salmon returns of the 1800s when 4.6 nests in the lower Columbia River and nests in the lower Columbia River has Columbia River million native Chinook returned or across the lower 48 states were almost increased annually but in certain areas even returns of 450,000 to 550,000 non-existent. There were only about the reproductive success of eagles Threatened and seen in the early 1900s. The current 400 nesting pairs in the entire lower remains well below state averages. Endangered Species annual returns average less than 48 states in the early 1960’s. The first Around Grays Bay and Cathlamet 100,000 fish, over half originate counts in the lower Columbia River in Bay eagle nests produce about half as Chinook Salmon from hatcheries. the late 1970’s showed approximately many young per nest as eagles nesting Lower Columbia River Chinook Salmon ten occupied eagle nests. The near elsewhere in Oregon and Washington. Upper Columbia River Spring-Run A variety of actions can give salmon decimation was primarily the result The latest study conducted in the 1990s Chinook Salmon a better chance during non-ocean of pesticides such as DDT (Dichloro- show decreased contaminant levels, Snake River Spring/Summer portions of their lifecycle. Adding Diphenyl-Trichloroethane). DDT but bald eagles were still exposed to Chinook Salmon large wood to streams; protecting and Snake River Fall Chinook Salmon was widely used in agriculture and to levels of organochlorines high enough reestablishing riparian vegetation; Upper Willamette River control insects that carry diseases like to impair their breeding success. protecting and restoring tidal Chinook Salmon malaria. Once considered one of the For these reasons, we need to closely wetlands and off channel habitats; safest insecticides, by the 1970s the monitor the health of bald eagles. Chum Salmon breaching dikes to allow tidal story on DDT was much different. Columbia River Chum Salmon influence and improve access to off Columbian White-tailed Deer Coho Salmon channel habitats; and replacing or DDT and many chlorinated Columbia River population of the Lower Columbia River Coho Salmon removing culverts and tidegates all hydrocarbons such as dioxins Columbian White-tailed deer has Sockeye Salmon benefit salmon and other species. concentrate in the fat of humans, been listed as endangered since Snake River Sockeye Salmon livestock, aquatic organisms, and 1967. The 1983 Columbian White- Bald Eagles wildlife. This accumulation has tailed Deer Recovery Plan requires Steelhead Bald eagles became one of the great severe effects in bald eagles, ospreys, “a minimum of 400 Columbian Lower Columbia River Steelhead success stories of the Endangered brown pelicans, and peregrine White-tailed deer be maintained in Middle Columbia River Steelhead Species Act when they were officially falcons. DDT and its breakdown at least three viable subpopulations Upper Columbia River Steelhead Snake River Steelhead delisted in 2007. Between 2005 and products, DDD and DDE, are toxic distributed in suitable secure habitat.” Upper Willamette River Steelhead 2007 the number of occupied bald to embryos and weaken the eggshells The USFW established the Julia Butler eagle nests along the lower Columbia that protect them during incubation. Other marine species that occur in Hansen Refuge in 1972, a major River increased by approximately These toxic chemicals can also affect the lower river and/or plume step for recovery of the species. The Eulachon/Columbia River Smelt twelve nests; even more use the the fertility and nesting behavior refuge contains more than 6,000 North American Green Sturgeon area as wintering habitat during of parents, resulting in the death acres of pastures, forested tidal Leatherback Sea Turtle migration. The greatest concentration of unhatched embryos and young swamps, brushy woodlots, pastures, Loggerhead Sea Turtle of nest sites occurs in the lower chicks. These same chemicals are marshes and sloughs on Columbia Green Sea Turtle estuary downstream from Cathlamet, highly toxic to the prey of predatory River islands and the mainland. Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Washington where their large nests birds, including crayfish, sea Protected islands include Hunting Southern Resident Killer Whale are found atop the tallest shoreline shrimp and many species of fish. Humpback Whale and Price Islands in Washington trees and on small islands. Blue Whale and Tenasillahe, Crims, and Wallace Sperm Whale Islands in Oregon. The refuge’s complex habitats also benefit a large Terrestrial and freshwater animal number of wintering birds, river species that occur in the lower river Occupied Bald Eagle Nest Sites and floodplain otter, several pair of nesting bald Oregon Silverspot Butterfly Along the Columbia River eagles and osprey, and a small herd of Oregon Chub Roosevelt elk. 120 – California Condor Washington In 2010, there were two viable and Columbian White-Tailed Deer, Columbia River DPS secure subpopulations – at Tenasillahe 100 – Marbled Murrelet, CA, OR, WA Island and along the mainland Southern Sea Otter (historic range) shoreline in Washington. In a fall Northern Spotted Owl 80 – 2009 survey, biologists found over Western Snowy Pacific Plover, 600 Columbian White-tailed deer Coastal Population Oregon scattered across lower river habitats. Bull Trout 60 – However, a third secure subpopulation Cutthroat Trout has not yet been achieved. Plants 40 – The plan is to continue to move deer Bradshaw’s Desert-Parsley to upriver islands and habitats to Golden Paintbrush help get them out of the floodplain. Kincaid’s Lupine 20 – Flooding, habitat changes brought on Nelson’s Checker-mallow Water Howellia by development, invasive species, and Willamette Daisy 0 – predation by coyotes are the primary Source: Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit threats to the deer population. 1979 – 1979 1991 – 1991 1987 – 1987 1981 – 1981 1997 – 1997 2001 – 2001 2007 – 2007 1993 – 1993 2003 – 2003 1989 – 1989 1983 – 1983 – 1999 1985 – 1985 – 1995 2005 – 2005

www.lcrep.org 17 he Estuary Partnership was Mission established in 1995 by the The mission of the Estuary Partnership is to preserve and enhance the water quality of the estuary to support its biological governors of Washington and T and human communities. Oregon and the US EPA to provide a coordinated, regional voice to improve Guiding Principle ecological conditions of the lower river . The health of the river will not significantly improve if new problems continually emerge even as old ones are solved. Using a watershed ecosystem based approach, the Estuary Partnership works Goals across political boundaries with 28 • Protect the ecosystem and species – restore 19,000 acres of wetlands and habitat by 2014 and promote improvements in cities, nine counties, 38 school districts stormwater management. and the states of Oregon and Washington over an area that stretches 146 miles • Reduce toxic and conventional pollution – conduct long-term monitoring and work with partners to eliminate from Bonneville Dam to the Pacific persistent bioaccumulative toxics, bring water bodies up to water quality standards, reduce hydrocarbon and heavy metal Ocean . It is the lead two-state entity discharges and reduce bacterial contamination. working in partnership with the private • Provide information about the river to a range of audiences – provide applied learning programs to children and adults sector and government agencies focused and build federal, tribal, state, local, public and private coordination. on the ecosystem .

The Estuary Partnership is one of the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan 28 estuaries in the nation designated As a National Estuary Program, the first task of the Estuary Partnership was to convene local partners, stakeholders and an “Estuary of National Significance .” citizens to assess the problems in the estuary and define a set of science based actions to address those problems. That The National Estuary Program was action plan, the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan, was completed in 1999, and implementation began authorized in the 1987 Clean Water Act immediately. The Management Plan sets a course for the next 25 years and defines 43 actions with specific environmental and is administered by the US EPA . goals and objectives that address the priority issues facing the lower Columbia River.

Board of Directors 2010 Staff ri C k aP P L e g a t e , Ci t i z e n Ex Officio: de b r a h ma r r i o t t , ex e C u t i v e di r e C t o r ev a n ha a s , ha b i t a t re s t o r a t i o n yv o n n e va L L e t t e & ma r y Lo u so s C i a , Co o r d i n a t o r Ja n e ba C C h i e r i , (Ch a i r ) Ci t i z e n Ch r i s ha t h a w a y , di r e C t o r o f us environmentaL Pr o t e C t i o n st e w a r d s h i P a n d te C h n i C a L Pr o g r a m s ke i t h ma r C o e , gis & da t a to m by L e r , or e g o n wa t e r s h e d ag e n C y (de P u t y di r e C t o r ) Co o r d i n a t o r en h a n C e m e n t bo a r d Ca t h y to r t o r i C i & Pa t t y do r n b u s C h , Pa m an d r e w s , as s i s t a n t t o Ch r i s Co L L i n s , ha b i t a t sP e C i a L i s t mi k e Ca r r i e r , of f i C e o f or e g o n na t i o n a L ma r i n e fi s h e r i e s se r v i C e t h e di r e C t o r go v e r n o r ku L o n g o s k i bi L L be n n e t t , ha b i t a t re s t o r a t i o n ke v i n br i C e , us ar m y Co r P s o f to m ar g e n t , fi n a n C e ma n a g e r Co o r d i n a t o r st e v e ha r v e y , (vi C e Ch a i r ) Co w L i t z en g i n e e r s wa h k i a k u m Co u n C i L o f go v e r n m e n t s sa n g e e t a sh a r m a , aC C o u n t i n g wa t e r s h e d Co o r d i n a t o r , v a C a n t gr e g fu h r e r , us ge o L o g i C a L su r v e y sP e C i a L i s t bi L L hu t C h i s o n , es q ., mo n i t o r i n g Co o r d i n a t o r , v a C a n t de b r a h ma r r i o t t , es t u a r y Pa r t n e r s h i P ro b e r t s ka P L a n LLP ma g g i e Jo n e s , CommuniCation a n d de v e L o P m e n t sP e C i a L i s t da v i d Ju d d , Ci t i z e n La u r a o’ke e f e , Pa u L Lu m L e y , Co L u m b i a ri v e r in t e r Honorary Board Members th e ho n o r a b L e de b wa L L a C e , CommuniCation a n d tr i b a L fi s h Co m m i s s i o n wa s h i n g t o n ho u s e o f de v e L o P m e n t sP e C i a L i s t ma r g a r e t ma g r u d e r , rePresentatives wi n d y ho v e y , CommuniCation agriCuLturaL Co m m u n i t y th e ho n o r a b L e br a d wi t t , a n d de v e L o P m e n t as s i s t a n t de a n ma r r i o t t , Ci t y o f Po r t L a n d or e g o n ho u s e o f rePresentatives Je n n i e kL e i n , st e w a r d s h i P bu r e a u o f environmentaL se r v i C e s th e ho n o r a b L e Ja C k i e di n g f e L d e r , Pr o g r a m s ma n a g e r bo b ni C h o L s , of f i C e o f wa s h i n g t o n or e g o n se n a t e Jo s h ho L C o m b , ed u C a t i o n go v e r n o r gr e g o i r e Co o r d i n a t o r iL o b a od u m , wa s h i n g t o n de P a r t m e n t mCke n z i e mi L L e r , o f eC o L o g y environmentaL ed u C a t o r di C k Pe d e r s e n , or e g o n de P a r t m e n t o f an n i e kL e f f n e r , environmentaL qu a L i t y environmentaL ed u C a t o r di a n n e Pe r r y , or e g o n & wa s h i n g t o n ka t i e Ja C o b s o n , sP o n s o r Po r t s environmentaL ed u C a t o r do n n a qu i n n , Ca n n e r y Pi e r ho t e L se a n sw e e n e y , se a s o n a L Je f f sm i t h , sm i t h ro o t , in C . environmentaL ed u C a t o r ka t h r y n va n na t t a , no r t h w e s t Pu L P sa m a n t h a Jo h n s o n , se a s o n a L a n d Pa P e r environmentaL ed u C a t o r l Schulman : NeiPhoto re e d wa i t e , Ci t i z e n Ca t h e r i n e Co r b e t t , te C h n i C a L Pr o g r a m s ma n a g e r Warrior Rock Lighthouse, Sauvie Island

18 Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership The Power of Partnership

The Estuary Partnership includes 24 Board of Director members, 22 staff, 40+ Science Work Group members, 125 regional What is an estuary? scientists, 110 community leaders, 1200 teachers, 120,000 students, a dozen technical experts, multiple universities, and thousands of citizens. Estuaries are where rivers flow While many things have changed since 2005, the Estuary Partnership’s essential purpose and mission have not. Our into the sea, and fresh water leadership and advocacy for the river are critical to secure funds for the region and ensure that these resources are strategically invested in our partners to advance on-the-ground projects and scientific goals. We are facilitating innovative mixes with ocean tides. They approaches, enhancing collaboration, and advancing the latest scientific information for the region. feature shallow wetlands, mud To get results, it takes a lot of great partners. The progress we are making to improve the estuary is because of the investments of many organizations, agencies, foundations, corporations and individuals. The Estuary Partnership is flats, streams and protected supported by the US EPA National Estuary Program and the states of Oregon and Washington. We have received significant bays critical to coastal funds from the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, Bonneville Power Administration and NOAA Community- based Restoration program and many grants from other local, state and federal agencies. environments. In this unique Over half of the funding for stewardship and environmental education programs comes from the generous support of area, life-giving nutrients from individuals, corporations and private foundations. REI has been a lead supporter of our stewardship progress since 2002. the land and sea combine to Along with these investments, the Army Corps of Engineers has invested several million dollars in habitat restoration projects that target the goals of our Management Plan. Further progress is being made by the states of Oregon and support a rich abundance of Washington who are investing in species recovery and toxics reduction. plants and animals. The estuary The Columbia Land Trust, Columbia River Estuary Study Task Force, the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, the Washington Department of Ecology and the Washington Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board are major partners in lower is a critical transition zone river restoration efforts. Dozens of watershed councils, local governments and conservation organizations are improving conditions in the lower river. The Estuary Partnership relies on regional experts through collaborations and contracts to assist that maintains water quality, with scientific work. Key partners include PNNL, USGS, NOAA and the University of Washington. The Estuary Partnership minimizes damaging floods, Science Work Group guides Estuary Partnership technical programs, bringing a wide range of expertise to our efforts. All of this makes our work possible and defines us as a National Estuary Program. nurtures fish and wildlife, and provides beautiful recreation We thank the members of the US Congress representing Oregon and Washington, areas for us all. and the Oregon and Washington State Legislatures for their leadership for the Columbia River and their support of the Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership.

ki e w i t – bi L f i n g e r be r g e r Ca r o L fenstemaCher Ch r i s t i Pa y n e Program Funders mwh gL o b a L , in C . Je n n i f e r fo r a n di C k a n d Je n n y Pe d e r s e n u.s. environmentaL Pr o t e C t i o n ag e n C y mu r r a y , sm i t h & as s o C i a t e s , in C . Lo r n a fo s s a n d mi r a Pe t e r s o n st a t e o f or e g o n nw gr o C e r y as s o C i a t i o n gr e g a n d ma r y fu h r e r ka t h y we n t z Ph e L P s st a t e o f wa s h i n g t o n nw na t u r a L sa r a h go o d n o u g h mi k e Pi t n e r otak, in C . an i gr a v e s re u b e n a n d Je r i PL a n t i C o Project Supporters Pa C i f i C so u r C e he a L t h PL a n s ta n y a gr a y Pa t r i C k Pr e n d e r g a s t Pa r a m e t r i x st e v e a n d Ly n n gr e e n w o o d do u g a n d ma r i e Pu t n a m Ca m a s -wa s h o u g a L Co m m u n i t y Ch e s t Pa r s o n s brinCkerhoff ru s t y gr i f f i n do n n a qu i n n Ci t y o f Po r t L a n d , PL a i d Pa n t r i e s ev e r e t t gu P t o n LuLu qu i n n bu r e a u o f environmentaL se r v i C e s Po r t o f Po r t L a n d Ca r o L y n ha a s da v i d ra n k i n ea s t mu L t n o m a h so i L a n d wa t e r Po r t L a n d ge n e r a L eL e C t r i C Jo h n ha i d e ma r v e i t a re d d i n g Conservation di s t r i C t ro b e r t s ka P L a n , LLC st e v e ha r v e y Jo e re i d y me t r o re g i o n a L go v e r n m e n t sm i t h -ro o t , in C . ti m ha v e n s Je f f ro g e r s na t i o n a L fi s h a n d wi L d L i f e fo u n d a t i o n wh o L e fo o d s mi k e a n d Ca r r i e he n d r i C k s ro n ro s s na t i o n a L oC e a n i C & at m o s P h e r i C gr e t C h e n ho n a n za r i sa n t n e r administration wi n k L e r de v e L o P m e n t ro n a n d ka t h y ho r r e s to m a n d na n C y sC h a u m b e r g ne w be L g i u m br e w i n g Co m P a n y ra n d y a n d Ci n d y hu d s o n do n n a sC h r a m m no r t h w e s t Po w e r a n d Conservation Individual wi L L i a m a n d ba r b hu t C h i s o n mi k e sC h w a r t z Co u n C i L / bo n n e v i L L e Po w e r dr. ba d d i a Ja b b o u r Ch a r L e s sC h w e i g e r t administration Contributors ru t h Je n k i n s do n n a si L v e r b e r g or e g o n Co m m u n i t y fo u n d a t i o n Ch a r i t y ad o L f ki t a n d am y Jo h n s o n Je n n i f e r si m s or e g o n de P a r t m e n t o f environmentaL ri C k aP P L e g a t e & be s s wo n g da v i d a n d ma g g i e Jo n e s mi n d y sm i t h qu a L i t y em i L y au e r b a C h da v i d Ju d d a n d ka t h r y n fi t C h an g e L L e so a n s or e g o n st a t e ma r i n e bo a r d Ja n e ba C C h i e r i sa L ka d r i ma r y Lo u so s C i a a n d du a n e me C h a m or e g o n wa t e r s h e d en h a n C e m e n t bo a r d an t h o n y ba r b e r rei ni k k i be n n e t t Jo h n ke L L y ma r k sm i t h Jo n a t h a n kr e i t L e r Jo a n sn y d e r th e si e r r a CL u b fo u n d a t i o n Ja C q u i bi s h o P ke n a n d te r e s a ku b o Lo u i s e so L L i d a y a n d to m sh a f e r u.s. environmentaL Pr o t e C t i o n ag e n C y br a n d o n bL a k e Ji m a n d Ca m i L L a Le n h a r t ma r k st a u f f e r u.s. fi s h a n d wi L d L i f e se r v i C e ka r e y a n d ga r y bo C k Pa t t y bo y d e n bo n n i e a n d ga L e Lo n g ge r r y a n d Ja n e L L e st. Pi e r r e Corporate an g e L a br o w n te d a n d tr a C y Lu n d i n ka r e n st r e e t e r bo b br o w n st e v e ma d e r gr a e m e ta y L o r Contributors Jo n a t h a n br o w n & Ja n be t z ma r g a r e t ma g r u d e r ka t h L e e n ti b b e t s ma r C br o w n di a n e ma r C o e do n a n d ro b i n tJ o s t o L v s o n ameC, in C . sh i e L a br o w n de b r a h a n d de a n ma r r i o t t Ca t h y to r t o r i C i a n d ro y ro g e r s an C h o r environmentaL Cy n t h i a by e ro b e r t ma r r i o t t Ch u C k a n d ma r d y tr e m b L a y ba n k o f t h e Ca s C a d e s ti m Ca r r i e r su s a n ma r x e r ri C h & ma r y an n e uL r i n g br o w n a n d Ca L d w e L L ka t h e r i n e Ch e n e y ri C h a r d ma u g h a n yv o n n e va L L e t t e a n d bi L L ki r C h n e r Ca s C a d e de s i g n Le a n d r a CL e v e L a n d Le e a n d ma r i L e e mi C h e L s ka t h r y n va n na t t a a n d Ci t y o f Po r t L a n d , bu r e a u o f mi C h a e L Co e Jo d y mC L e o d ro g e r ba r n h u r s t environmentaL se r v i C e s da r y L Co L e Li n d a me n g Jo h n v a n st a v e r e n Ca r o L L o en g i n e e r s La r r y a n d be t h a n y Co t t o n da v i s a n d Ju d y mo r i u C h i be n vi e h o f f Ch2m hi L L an d y mo r r o w Jo h n vo L k m a n Cmts ki m Co x se a n da r C y an n ma r i e na v a ti n a a n d re e d wa i t e Co L u m b i a st a t e ba n k Jo n da s L e r Li s a ni k u n e n a n d st e v e ad a m s Ja y wa t s o n Cr a n e a n d me r s e t h Ji L L da v i s da w n ni L s o n Pa t r i C k wh e a r y da v i d ev a n s a n d as s o C i a t e s , in C . se b a s t i a n de g e n s Ju d y ny s sh a r o n wh i t e h a L L de a C o n Ch a r i t a b L e fo u n d a t i o n ka t h y di e t r i C h Jo a n n a og i n t z Ch a r L e s wi g g i n s en v i r o is s u e s Jo h n a n d Ju L i e di x o n ma r C i a oh L e m i L L e r Li s a a n d br a n t wi L L i a m s ePson Po r t L a n d , in C . Ji m a n d La u r a o’ke e f e ma r i e wi s e eteC, LLC. br u C e do b b s a n d am y Le e Pa t t y do r n b u s C h re v . er v i n ov e r L u n d CL a u d i a za h o r C a k ge o r g i a -Pa C i f i C Ca m a s mi L L Ca r L du g g e r a n d Ja n e t ma t h e w s ga r y Pa r k e r ro g e r za n d e r hdr en g i n e e r i n g Jo n a t h a n du s L e r bL a i n e eb b e r t s ka t y Pa r r i s h ir i s zh a o Ja C o b s as s o C i a t e s Jo h n Pa u L s o n Siegmund Walter 2006 Ch r i s t i n e es t e P © JLa Pu b L i C in v o L v e m e n t www.lcrep.org 19 www Portland 811 S Lower .lcrep.org W Naito P

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Inside: Assessing Trends in the Lower Columbia River

2010 Report on the Estuary

From the Executive Director ifteen years ago, when watershed councils throughout the Contaminants threaten species be good stewards, our investments the lower Columbia River study area are doing their share. health, contaminate the habitat must be sustained and substantial. NEP was created, we were we are restoring, affect human F Today, as a region we can pause to Our businesses need it – farmers, cautioned that Washington State consumption of fish and threaten celebrate the 16,235 acres restored shippers, ports, fishers – our looked north to the Puget Sound and our economy. since 1999 and the new science and ecosystem and the fish need it. More Oregon State looked south to the strategic approaches to restoration. The cost of a healthy river is high. than anything, our kids need it. Willamette Valley. The states have We can celebrate our work providing The problems have occurred over a made significant investment in those 123,000 student and adult learning long time and our responses need to and other water bodies since then, experiences that meet state recognize ecologic time. If we are to even through tough economic times. requirements. We can celebrate Washingtonians and Oregonians that three years of toxics knew investing in healthy waters was monitoring done at six good for the ecosystem, good for our COMMENTS GRADE 2010 sites, testing for new GRADE 2005 economy and good for our kids. INDICATOR contaminants for the Legacy contaminants, including DDT and PCBs, persist in the environment. New contaminants including PBDEs are emerging. Additional monitoring is needed to identify The States, US EPA and Congress, first time. contaminant sources and changes over time. Lack of Water Quality: ? C investment is delaying contaminant reduction and cleanup. the NWPCC/BPA, NOAA, Are pollutant levels in the lower Columbia For all the successes River increasing or decreasing? foundations, corporations and of With more people came more roads, roofs, parking lots and other we have gone about as impervious surfaces. The more impervious surface, the more potential runoff individuals have invested millions contaminates into water bodies. Innovative stormwater management features that far as we can without Land Use: C C+ lessen the impacts of development on water quality have increased. in the lower river through the Do our land use decisions protect lower expanded investment Columbia River water quality? Estuary Partnership. We have Between 2005 and 2010 the Estuary Partnership on the mainstem Stewardship program increased emphasis on outdoor created a network of partners and applied learning. Since 2005, we have provided 84,500 Columbia. BThere is no Stewardship: youth and adult learning experiences, an increase of defined unified approaches. USGS, Has the Estuary Partnership provided AA 46% from 2005. citizens with opportunities to learn about sustained monitoring of the lower Columbia River? NOAA, and EPA have done several Restoration partners restored 16,235 acres of habitat, meeting the Estuary contaminants, no focused Partnership Management Plan restoration goal for 2010; a major accomplishment one-time studies. Municipalities, yet less than half of what has been lost since settlement. The next level of restoration toxic reduction activities. is more challenging. We are not tracking habitat loss. Habitat: C conservation organizations, Are we gaining or losing habitat in the lower Columbia River? Today, thirty-two species of plants, fi sh and wildlife that live in or use the lower Columbia River are listed04 as threatened or endangered. Lower under Columbia the ESA; River in 20 salmon there were twenty-four ald eagle is no longer listed as The stewardship we build lasts a lifetime remain threatened. The b ss story. The Columbian endangered – a national succe opulations Are threatened and endangered species in White-tailed deer remains endangered, but p the lower Columbia River recovering? are showing improvements.