Habitat Protection and Land Use These actions help identify, prioritize, protect, and restore habitats in the Estuary Program study area. The public has consistently identified habitat loss as the number one problem facing the estuary. These actions address citizen knowledge of and involvement in lower Columbia River issues, governmental coordination and consistency, and long term environmental monitoring. The public has continually stressed the need for more collaborative approaches and educational opportunities. These actions deal with reducing or eliminating pollutants that harm the biological integrity of the river.
Pollutants range from elevated temperature to dioxins and bioaccumulative chemicals.
The draft Management Plan is both a guidebook and a call to action. The plan provides the background, tools, and vision that will allow citizens, governments, and other organizations to work together to protect and enhance the water quality and natural resources of the river and estuary. The future of the lower Columbia River estuary depends on everyone who lives, works, and plays here. Your input will make the final Management Plan stronger and poised for successful implementation. I wonder at time on the river, at our brief eyeblink of time.