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The silty Willamette's spring flows join the Columbia at Kelley Point Park
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Friends,
Help Us Hold the Line -
As we push forward into Spring, our work is more important than
ever. Like never before, there are very real threats to the fundamental
protections that have been in place for water quality for decades.
Willamette Riverkeeper is working to prevent cutbacks to the
US EPA to help ensure that the Superfund Cleanup moves forward
this year, and to help ensure that the Clean Water Act is implemented.
This past week, the new administration opened the process to roll
back rules to protect ephemeral streams. While this process will
take some time, it signals the kind of actions the new administration
can take. Further, the US EPA is under threat of significant budget cuts.
Major cuts to the EPA budget would impact the
agency's ability to enforce key environmental laws, like the Clean
Water Act, and others.
In Oregon we will work to keep the Oregon's DEQ's budget whole. This
agency has been diminished over the past few years, as represented by
NPDES permits that have expired. DEQ's toxics monitoring budget is also
under threat. WR will be working to push these agencies ahead in Oregon
and to keep important work, and plans for important work in 2017, moving forward.
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A local fisherman shows off his prized catch, a sturgeon, from the Willamette's waters
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We need YOUR help!
Please consider supporting us as a member TODAY
. Your donation can sustain our ability to
track permit renewals under the Clean Water Act. Such permits regulate
the cleanliness of treated wastewater that goes right into the Willamette
or its tributaries. Your support can help us push the EPA for strong oversight of the Portland Harbor Cleanup.
The time is now. Help ensure that we do not lose ground
in protecting and restoring the Willamette River.
Thank you!
Travis Williams
Riverkeeper & Executive Director
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Trashy Tuesday volunteers in action!
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Get your hands dirty and make a difference!
Join us every second Tuesday of the month at the recently improved Portland Boathouse dock, and help us pick up trash in the central part of Portland along the Willamette. Park in the 2 hour visitor parking spaces near the building, on the street, or ride your bike.
Reserve a seat in one of our canoes, or bring your own boat. We will provide trash bags, non latex gloves, and trash pickers. Dress for the weather and paddling (layers, boots, and rain gear). We will spend about an hour or so on the water.
What: "Trashy Tuesday" recurring river clean up (2nd Tuesday of the month)
When: Tuesday, 3/14 from 11:30am to 1:30pm
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River Discovery: Scappoose Bay, 3/25
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Taking advantage of high flows by exploring the recesses of Scappoose Creek
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Join us as we explore the lowest reach of the Willamette system- Scappoose Bay! (Seem familiar? This trip was rescheduled from February.)
When: Saturday, March 25th, meet at 9:30am - about 1:30pm
Details: Breaking from the mainstem Willamette a few miles before the confluence with the Columbia, Multnomah Channel eventually spills into the low, tidal estuary of Scappoose Bay. Adjacent to Sauvie Island National Wildlife Area, the bay teems with wildlife.
Here, juvenile salmonids seek refuge from strong river currents before migrating to the ocean, and bald eagles, herons, and tundra swans grace the skies. Scappoose also claims a compelling Northwest history that includes thriving Chinook villages, Lewis and Clark, and the Hudson Bay Company. We'll explore the Bay's many back channels as the water levels allow, and visit the remains of an old wooden ship.
Bring: $5 for the Marina parking fee, your camera, binoculars, water, lunch, and a hot drink. Dress WARM; tall rubber boots are suggested to keep your feet warm and dry. It can be very muddy here when stepping out of your boat. We also recommed packing a hat, gloves, extra warm/dry layers. Splash wear such as a rain coat and pants with fleece underlayers is a good choice for those using our canoes.
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Scappoose Bay
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Need a Boat? Riverkeeper canoes are available upon request for $20 (per canoe) for non-members, or FREE for current members. You must recruit your own paddling partner.
BYOBoat? Non-members are welcome to participate with a $10 donation, or choose to become an active Riverkeeper member for a one time fee of just $35.
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Spring Restoration Work Party: 4/15
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| Ross's Island's inner beauty |
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Signs of spring on RI
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Celebrate Earth Month with us!
What: Spring paddle & work party on Ross Island
When: Saturday, April 15th from 8:30am - 2:00pm
Details:
In partnership with our our friends at Portland Parks & Recreation, we'll spend the morning canoeing out to Ross Island to help improve wildlife habitat by hand pulling garlic mustard. Bring your own canoe or kayak, or reserve a place on one of our canoes at no cost. No paddling experience necessary. Canoes, PFDs, paddles, and basic instruction will be provided.
Check-in will open at 8:15 am. Volunteers should arrive by 8:30 am the latest to check in and gear up for a 9:00 am launch. Please be prompt as we will not hold up the group to accommodate you if you are late!
Where:
The group will meet in the gravel lot above the river access ramp, next to the Portland Boathouse parking lot (1515 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214).
Bring
: Dress appropriately for the weather (such as a rain coat, rain pants and warm layers). Tall rubber boots, work well for walking around the island. Bring water, snacks, and a brown bag lunch. Willamette Riverkeeper will provide work gloves.
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Paddle Oregon 2017- Seeking Volunteers
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The beautiful Willamette River, just downstream of the Santiam confluence
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Registration Update:
We are thrilled to report that while registration has only been open for two weeks, we have had a tremendous response to
Paddle Oregon 2017 "Total Eclipse of the Awesome
!"
If you plan to join us this August, DO NOT HESITATE any longer,
REGISTER TODAY
! We are on track to reach our capacity, at which point
registration will close
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Volunteers Needed:
We are currently seeking qualified Pod Leader volunteers and Roving Safety Boaters to join our Paddle Oregon River Safety Team! Volunteers receive a discounted trip fee, and a lifetime of good river karma.
Ideal candidates are... avid river/dynamic water or whitewater paddlers, former or current trained paddling instructors/guides, and/or paddlers with ACA/BCU certifications or awards, Swift Water Rescue Training, and
CPR certification. Strong communication skills, patience, and a sense of humor are also a must!
Check out our Volunteer Requirements for more information and contact details. Interested paddlers will need to attend our Pod Leader Training Weekend on the upper Willamette River, April 22nd - 23rd. Immersion wear required... because you're going to get wet!
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Great Willamette Clean Up: 10/7
Save the date river fans!
Our 9th annual-epic-river-wide-community-trash-clean-up is scheduled for Saturday, October 7th. With land and river based sites spanning the entire watershed, there is bound to be a clean up site near you where you can pitch in.
We are actively seeking
business sponsorships to help us make this event a smashing success. If you are a business owner looking to get involved in a worthy cause, or if you think your employer would value this community effort, please contact Development Coordinator
kate.b@willametteriverkeeper.org.
If you are an experienced paddler interested in volunteering as a clean up site leader along a reach of the Willamette, please contact
kate@willametteriverkeeper.org
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