Coordination in the Lower Columbia

Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) staff coordinated activities and provided coordination functions. ODA staff administerd and coordinated the technical support component of the state-federal Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). CREP provides riparian exclosures planted with desired native vegetation to achieve recovery plan goals. In coordination with strategic partners, ODA staff developed a riparian management and water quality message map as part of a continuing communication strategy for agricultural producers. Staff directed the use of state funds provided to SWCDs for implementation of the Oregon Plan. ODA coordinated Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) implementation with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), participated in recovery plan implementation, and helped lead the state’s Clean Water Act (CWA) toxics standards implementation. Staff also assisted in reviewing Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) project grants to help ensure monies are effectively targeted to high priority restoration projects in agricultural areas.

ODA addressed several limiting factors in the Lower Columbia River Conservation and Recovery Plan, including agricultural land management impacts to riparian vegetation, high water temperatures, and runoff of pollutants including nutrients and pesticides. Strategies identified in the recovery plan to address limiting factors include riparian condition restoration and large woody debris recruitment, water quality improvement, and identification and reduction of sediment sources.

Overall, the coordination activities and functions completed as part of this project encouraged broader adoption of healthy riparian management and water quality protection activities while helping to direct restoration funds and activities to priority areas.

Goal is to achieve water quality standards to ensure that the Lower Columbia River can support healthy populations of salmonids and other aquatic life. Purpose is to work with SWCDs, watershed councils and other strategic partners to ensure broader adoption of healthy riparian management and water quality protection activities and targeting restoration efforts at highest priority restoration needs to improve riparian conditions and water quality. ODA staff coordinate with federal, state and local partners to help ensure riparian restoration activities are coordinated with in-stream habitat restoration to make effective use of restoration resources and to restore stream function to meet water quality and fish management goals. Expected benefits include reduction in thermal loading to rivers, improved riparian condition and reduction in loading of agricultural chemicals and sediments to the river. In this project Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) staff will coordinate activities and provide coordination functions. ODA staff will administer and coordinate the technical support component of the state-federal Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). CREP provides riparian exclosures planted with desired native vegetation to achieve recovery plan goals. ODA staff will develop outreach tools on riparian management and water quality issues. In coordination with strategic partners, staff will pilot a statewide riparian management and water quality communication strategy to agricultural producers. Staff will direct the use of state funds provided to SWCDs for implementation of the Oregon Plan. Coordination functions include coordinating Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) implementation with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), participating in recovery plan implementation, and helping lead the state’s Clean Water Act (CWA) toxics standards implementation. Staff will also assist in Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) project grant reviews to help ensure monies are effectively targeted to high priority restoration projects in agricultural areas.

This project addresses several limiting factors in the Lower Columbia River Conservation and Recovery Plan, including agricultural land management impacts to riparian vegetation, high water temperatures, and runoff of pollutants including nutrients and pesticides. Strategies identified in the recovery plan to address limiting factors include restore riparian condition and large woody debris recruitment, improve water quality, and identify and reduce sources of sediment.

The coordination activities and functions proposed as part of this project will encourage broader adoption of healthy riparian management and water quality protection activities while helping direct restoration funds and activities to priority areas.