Each has a different jurisdiction, constituency, and purpose. Efforts at coordination are made more difficult because few, if any, are specifically charged with identifying overlaps in programs or gaps in provided services. The few that have an oversight role are often not empowered to prompt change when they identify such gaps or overlaps. This kind of fragmented approach is contrary to the need for comprehensive solutions to complex problems that do not recognize political or jurisdictional boundaries. The Columbia River is governed by a host of different laws administered by different agencies, none of which focus on the river as a whole.
Regulatory authority is often limited or inconsistent.
The decision-making cycles of most government processes conflict with the longer timeframe needed to address many environmental issues. Problems requiring long-term solutions may be neglected in favor of those that appear easy to resolve or produce immediate results. Multiple issues compete for limited funding, and priorities are not always clearly set. Decisions are sometimes made in highly charged public or political arenas, which can compromise the objectivity of the decision-making process. The lower Columbia River and estuary encompasses diverse cultures, with multiple perspectives and needs.