The Reason for our Existence:
The Columbia River is the lifeblood of the Pacific Northwest, but it is a river in crisis. The demands on the Columbia River continue to increase as population and commerce grows, creating an increasing need for environmental protection. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1,048,853 tons of carcinogens are still directly discharged into the Columbia River each year, making the Columbia River one of the most contaminated rivers in the country for cancer-causing pollutants. Toxic pollution continues to run unabated into the Columbia's waters. Near the Tri-Cities, radioactive and chemical plumes at the Hanford Nuclear Site continue to impact groundwater and river water quality. Over 180 square miles of contaminated groundwater are a legacy of our neglect. A recent EPA/CRITFC scientific study found toxicity levels in many Columbia River fish significantly violate human health standards. Yet, with fourteen damns, thirteen pulp mills and 1,243 miles to oversee, the governmental agencies responsible for protecting the water quality of the Columbia are under-funded and understaffed. As a result, environmental policies and laws are often violated. In lieu of the increasing threats, the Columbia River needs a voice to speak and act on its behalf. This is the role of Columbia Riverkeeper.
With a mission statement to restore and protect the water quality of the Columbia River and all life connected to it from the headwaters to the Pacific Ocean, Columbia Riverkeeper is the only non-profit solely focused on Columbia River water quality. Organizational efforts have resulted in 95% less dioxin flowing into the river today from 12 years ago. Heavy metal pollution has been decreased significantly from industry technological improvements encouraged by CRK. Hanford cleanup has been the best funded of any superfund site in the country because of public involvement. Real accomplish-ments have been made, saving taxpayers millions of dollars. But more actions are needed to protect this great river's future. While the problems facing the Columbia River are many, through careful planning, collaborations, and public education, changes can be made bringing us toward our goal of clean, clear water in the Columbia River. Because time is short and urgent action is required, CRK believes we must work together to be an effective force in protecting the future of the Columbia.
Background
Columbia Riverkeeper (CRK) was officially formed by the merger of Clean Water Columbia (CWC) and Columbia River United (CRU) in spring 2000. The primary parent organization, Columbia River United, was a grassroots organization formed in the Mid-Columbia in 1989. Clean Water Columbia was Portland based, founded in 1997 by former Congresswoman Elizabeth Furse to develop awareness and support for a clean Columbia River. Both organizations acknowledged that the Columbia River faced severe threats, not only from the Hanford Nuclear Site, but also from pollutants and toxic chemicals routinely dumped into her. Something had to be done to restore and protect this great Northwest resource. Columbia River United has a long history of citizen education, public involvement and successful actions against toxic polluters on the River. While CRU was rural based, Clean Water Columbia was based in Portland. CWC provided a wealth of business experience and connections as well as legal expertise. After working together for a few years, CWC and CRU decided to pursue a merger. The combination of talents and strengths has created an organization that can and will provide the leadership to restore and protect the Columbia River and its ecosystem. They applied and were given status as a member of the WaterKeeper Alliance lead by Robert Kennedy, Jr., and became Columbia Riverkeeper. The Columbia River is the longest river in the association.
CRU founders had discovered early-on that neither Washington nor Oregon was monitoring the Columbia River for water quality. Because the River lies on the border between the two states, neither state assumed responsibility for it. CRU successfully pushed for the formation of the Bi State Water Quality Committee to do the first comprehensive testing of the river's waters. The six years of scientific tests provided confirmation of the river's severe contamination.
Columbia Riverkeeper is well suited to address the pressing regional problems of the Columbia River Basin. Recent additions to its board of members from Canada and Astoria give it a broad geographical representation. Significant progress has occurred in both the organizational and programmatic arenas.
Columbia Riverkeeper
724 Oak Street
Hood River, OR 97031
(541) 387-3030
Fax (541) 387-3029
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