AHRI Principles
(Portland Agreement)

Purpose

The American Heritage Rivers (AHR) Initiative is a community-led, community driven effort, comprised of all sectors of society, brought together in common cause to bring about a balanced use of our rivers. We strive to be inclusive and representative of all sectors of society, such as government, business, industry, education, transportation, environmental organizations, social groups, advocacy groups, faith-based organizations, Native American groups, and other citizens. Our vision is diverse, broad-based, representative and inclusive. We focus on balancing protection of the environment, preserving our history and culture, and revitalizing the economies to meet the needs and visions of our communities.

Successes

Representatives from the American Heritage Rivers designated areas attended a conference in Portland, Oregon, on November 15 through 17, 2000 to review progress and develop strategies for the future. We believe that the Initiative has been very successful in all our designated rivers. The common successes enjoyed by all 14 American Heritage Rivers are:

• Building broad-based partnerships
• Establishing community priorities
• Supporting a common vision

Critical to these successes is the support of the River Navigators by contributing federal agency partners.

A Plan for the Future

We believe that this effort will continue. As such, we commit ourselves to an action plan based on the following criteria:

• Actions are achievable by the partnership.
• The partnership is empowered to accomplish the actions.
• These actions can be completed within six months.
• These actions lay the foundation for follow-on activities.

Our action plan is a synthesis drawn from a larger body of ideas and recommendations contributed during the Portland Conference. This body of knowledge will continue to be the foundation for follow-up activities. The immediate action plan has ten items (with no implied priority):

1. Work on community priority projects.
2. Complete the national AHRI Report to the President.
3. Community partners prepare individual State-of-the-River Reports (including resources leveraged, number of projects, indicators/outcomes, communities engaged, partners involved, education, outreach activities and future challenges).
4. Community partners send letters of support to new administration, Congressional representatives, etc.
5. River Navigators develop briefing documents for help in agency transitions.
6. Approach a national firm to assist in marketing the Initiative.
7. Reaffirm commitment for River Navigator positions.
8. Pursue an independent website for AHRI.
9. Provide an institutional structure to bridge the transition period, such as America's River Communities.
10. Reconvene in three to six months.

The Willamette River Example

The Navigators and Community Partners attending the Portland Conference were impressed with the Willamette AHR Initiative as an example of the successes, potentials and challenges inherent in each American Heritage River community.

The Willamette AHR:

• Is part of a basin-wide effort to pioneer a new "Oregon Trail" to sustain communities and improve watersheds;
• Is a key component in establishing and maintaining a unique set of partnerships including; the Willamette Restoration Initiative, Willamette Riverkeeper, Willamette Urban Watershed Network, local Chambers of Commerce, visitor and tourism organizations, watershed groups (both councils and soil and water conservation districts), the Willamette Province Regional Interagency Executive Committee and other state and federal agencies;
• Coordinates its activities with community and regional programs, including the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds, mid-Valley Community Partnerships, and community River Renaissance initiatives and the Clean River Plan.

Like other American Heritage River activities, the Willamette AHR Initiative will strive to broaden its base of support by increasing its service to communities, building and improving communication channels with Willamette basin residents, and working more closely and effectively with federal agencies to deliver resources to local endeavors.

Approval

This document represents the collective thought and agreement on actions of the attendees to advance the AHR Initiative.

*Representatives were not able to attend the Portland meeting.

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