Willamette River
Background
The Willamette River Basin is located in northwestern Oregon between
the Cascade Mountains and the Coast Range. The basin comprises 11,500 square
miles and is bordered by foothills and mountains up to 10,000 feet high to the
south, east, and west. The Willamette flows north to the Columbia River,
joining it just ten feet above sea level.
The Willamette River basin has been inhabited by humans for at least 10,000
years, providing sustenance for Native Americans, Euro-Americans, pioneers,
and citizens alike. The waterway has provided vital transportation for
people and goods. Increases in industrial use, sewage disposal, and population
during the early 1900s to the mid-1900s compromised the river's capability to
absorb waste and resulted in serious pollution of the main stem river. Despite
continued population growth, ongoing cleanup efforts have resulted in improvement
toward several measures of watershed health. While major efforts have addressed
municipal and industrial sources of pollution, current river restoration efforts
are focusing on nonpoint pollution from agriculture, storm water runoff and forestry.
Designation
The American Heritage Rivers designation on the Willamette
includes the nearly 200-mile-long reach from Springfield north to Portland. This
stretch of the river flows through the three largest cities in the state:
Eugene/Springfield, Salem (the state capital), and Portland. More than two
million people live in the Willamette basin, the fastest growing portion of the state.
River Resources
The Willamette plays a key role in Oregon's economy.
Historically, the economy was heavily based on timber harvesting, but has
in recent years become more diversified. Productive agriculture and forest
lands in the basin are being joined by high-tech industry. Recreation and
outdoor activities, including fishing and boating, are a key part of the
local economy, and the river is an important water source for agriculture
and municipal uses.
The river and surrounding tributaries are also home to a wide variety of
fish and wildlife. In particular, the river is part of a migratory route
for a variety of anadromous fish and provides spawning grounds for coho
salmon, spring and fall run chinook, and steelhead and cutthrout trout.
Several of these species are presently listed or proposed for listing
under the Endangered Species Act.
Community Action Plan
The Willamette River Basin Task Force, appointed
by Governor John Kitzhaber in 1996, developed both short-term and long-term
action plans for the river. As a result of this work, Governor Kitzhaber
created the Willamette Restoration Initiative (WRI), a public/private partnership
to promote, integrate and coordinate efforts to protect and restore the health
of the Willamette watershed. Composed of key stakeholders throughout the basin,
the WRI coordinates the AHR program. Designation as a heritage river will help
carry out an integrated vision for the Willamette.
Our approach to implementing the AHR program emphasizes a holistic watershed
approach. The WRI and basin strategy will be used to guide development of
key aspects of our Action Plan. Both the WRI and AHR address issues of human,
ecosystem, and social/economic health, including protection and restoration of
wetlands and flood plains, cost-effective solutions to flooding and sewage
problems, improving the health of aquatic species and habitat, and minimizing
the impacts of population growth and changing land use. The final Action Plan
will offer real partnership opportunities for our river communities and the federal government.
River Navigator and Community Partners
The river navigator selection and
Action Plan development and evaluation are guided by an AHR Oversight Committee
composed of the following Community Partners: WRI; Office of the Governor
(ex officio); Oregon Department of Agriculture; city of Portland; Linn
County; Willamette RiverKeeper; lower, mid, and upper basin watershed
councils; and citizens at large.
Federal Partners
The AHR program is managed by the WRI through a
Memorandum of Agreement signed by regional representatives for:
| State of Oregon | Willamette Restoration Initiative |
| Army Corps of Engineers | U.S. Attorney |
| Bureau of Indian Affairs | Bureau of Land Management |
| Bonneville Power Administration | Bureau of Reclamation |
| U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | Federal Emergency Management Agency |
| Federal Highway Administration | Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Forest Service | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Housing and Urban Development | National Marine Fisheries Service |
| National Park Service | Natural Resource Conservation Service |
The Willamette Province Interagency Executive Committee (PIEC),
established under the Northwest Forest Plan in 1994, convenes federal
agency representatives at the basin level to discuss natural resource
issues related to the management of federal public lands. This forum
is being used to bring American Heritage River (AHR) partners together.
Cultural and Heritage partners are involved at the state level.
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