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Dear Addressee_Placeholder,
This fall, the Tillamook Estuaries Partnership (TEP) joins 27 other National Estuary Programs (NEP) in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the federal legislation that led to our establishment. Considered by many to be ahead of its time, this legislation recognizes that issues like non-point source pollution and habitat degradation result from and must be addressed within the cultural, political, and ecological systems that are unique to a given watershed. Over the last 20 years this watershed-based approach has protected and restored over a half million wetland acres, 8,000 acres of barrier islands, and 84,000 acres of riparian (streamside) habitats nationwide.
These numbers reflect only a part of the NEP's success story, however. Behind every acre of restored habitat is a unique partnership fostered under the NEP's goal of applying the best available science to the development of locally devised solutions. A study in the American Journal of Political Science concluded that the networks created in NEP areas "span more levels of government, integrate more experts into policy discussions, nurture stronger interpersonal ties between stakeholders, and create greater faith in the procedural fairness of local policy than other comparable estuaries."
As the Tillamook Estuaries Partnership continues to convene a diverse set of interests around the common goals of watershed and estuarine restoration, we can take pride in our commitment to working together to tackle such complex issues as habitat degradation, the proliferation of invasive species, and the loss of floodplain function.
Finding solutions to these problems requires sound science and willingness among stakeholders to listen to one another and work collaboratively. As the NEP enters its third decade, I'd like to thank those who recognized this principle 20 years ago, and all of those who stand by it today. The estuaries of Tillamook County and coastal communities across the entire nation are the better for our efforts.
Mark Trenholm
Executive Director
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Habitat Enhancement Highlight: Nestucca-Neskowin Culvert Prioritization  Throughout the Pacific Northwest, roads crisscross the watersheds that salmon climb to reach their spawning grounds. Although most of the culverts constructed under these roads once allowed fish to pass upstream, today many are impassible, restricting access to hundreds of miles of critical spawning and rearing habitat. Because culvert replacement projects are very expensive and the ecological benefits vary greatly from one creek to the next, it is essential to prioritize replacement projects across the watershed.
In 2006, TEP and ten watershed partners launched a collaborative, watershed-wide barrier prioritization in the Nestucca River basin. Over two years of field work and data synthesis resulted in the Nestucca-Neskowin Watersheds Culvert Prioritization and Action Plan. The plan prioritizes 338 culverts based on upstream habitats, fish presence, and barrier specifications. A year after its release, several of the highest priority projects are now underway, ensuring that salmon restoration funds are spent where they will have the greatest impact. |
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Education Highlight: Watershed Education Kits  From "Animal Adaptations" to "Zooplankton", TEP's Watershed Education Kits are ready for use! Created as a resource for teachers and environmental educators, TEP’s watershed education kits provide a wide range of classroom and outdoor activities. TEP developed the kits under a grant from the Department of Environmental Quality.
"I am using the Water Quality Kit and cannot say enough good things about it. It contained enough information for me - a water quality novice - to teach with confidence, and included many hands-on activities for the students to use. The resource left little to prepare for and made teaching water quality much easier than I expected. My only concern is that other teachers will use these kits and discover how wonderful and complete they are and I will not be able to get my hands on the next one when I want to use it!" - Letter from a Nestucca Valley Middle School Teacher.
Review the complete list of Watershed Education Kits, and contact the TEP office if you’d like to check one out for your classroom. |
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Research & Monitoring Highlight: Tillamook Bay Rapid Bio-Assessment  TEP and Bio-Surveys, LLC. recently completed a three-year study of juvenile coho salmon populations in the Tillamook Bay basin. Beginning at the mouth of every salmon-bearing stream in the watershed (all 340 miles!), a surveyor walks upstream, snorkels every 5th pool, and counts all salmon observed. Researchers also characterize pool size & depth, habitat complexity, visibility, and the location & condition of culverts.
Information derived from the study helps TEP and its partners better understand the habitats that are most important to juvenile salmon, and prioritize areas in need of restoration. We're pleased to report that within the recently completed Cruiser Creek restoration project site, surveyors recorded the highest density of coho salmon seen in the Oregon coast range over the last decade. |
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Local Grant Program Highlight: Holden Creek Restoration Plan  TEP recently granted the Tillamook Bay Watershed Council (TBWC) $4,000 to address water quality and habitat issues in the City of Tillamook's Holden Creek. This Trask River tributary typically has the highest bacteria concentrations of any stream in the Tillamook Bay watershed. TBWC will evaluate the Holden Creek drainage and convene a local stakeholder group to discuss actions that will improve water quality and riparian and instream habitats. Check out our website to read more about Holden Creek and other recipients funded through TEP's Local Grant Program. |
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IN THIS ISSUE: PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
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Habitat Enhancement Program:
Nestucca-Neskowin Culvert Prioritization
Education Program:
Watershed Education Kits
Research & Monitoring Program:
Tillamook Bay Rapid Bio-Assessment
Local Grant Program:
Holden Creek Restoration Plan
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
Nehalem Water Trail Guidebook available.
Hot off the press! Email Julie Chick, Water Trail Coordinator, if you'd like a copy.
 TEP's Annual Holiday Volunteer
Appreciation Party!
Join us - Thursday, December 13th, 2007 from 11 AM - 2 PM at the TEP office.
Bounty on the Bay 2008! Mark the date:
Friday and Saturday, May 16th and 17th, 2008.
Next TEP Speaker Series coming in January 2008:
Topic: "Bacteria Sources and Trends in Tillamook Bay"
Date and Location to be announced.
Watch for upcoming details.
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DONATE TO TEP |
TEP is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and restoration of the five Tillamook County estuaries and their associated watersheds.
Your charitable donation to the TEP is tax-deductible and helps preserve the health and beauty of our region. Follow this link to our contribution page, and thank you for your support!
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ISSUE 6: FALL/WINTER 2007 |
We've added an aerial video tour of Tillamook Bay to our site. Thanks to videographer Jane Scott for generously donating her time and talents to this production!
New subscriber to our newsletter? You can find an archive of our past issues at www.tbnep.org.
Tillamook Estuaries Partnership
613 Commercial Street
P.O. Box 493
Garibaldi, OR 97118
(503) 322-2222 phone
(503) 322-2261 fax
info@tbnep.org
Juvenile Coho Photo Courtesy ODFW
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