Oregon’s Democratic U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley and U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle (D-OR) introduced the Columbia River Clean-Up Act to reauthorize the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program.
Merkley created the program in 2016 to focus federal attention on reducing toxics and pollution through voluntary efforts in the Columbia River Basin. However, funding for the program is set to expire next year. The Columbia River Clean-Up Act would ensure the program can be funded for another five years, through 2030.
“Our rivers and waterways are the lifeblood of communities across Oregon and the rest of the Pacific Northwest,” said Merkley. “The Columbia River Basin Restoration Program—which I created in 2016—is vital to preventing toxic pollutants from accumulating in our environment. Our bill reauthorizes this critical program, ensuring federal dollars will continue to support a cleaner, healthier Columbia River for Tribal communities, wildlife, ecosystems, and the economy.”
“The Columbia River Basin is one of our most important watersheds — supporting communities, economies, and ecosystems across the Pacific Northwest,” said Hoyle. “Reauthorizing the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program is critical to continuing the progress we’ve made in cleaning up toxic pollution and protecting public health. This voluntary program is a proven, bipartisan success, and I’m proud to join Senator Merkley in leading the effort to ensure it continues delivering results for Oregonians, Tribal Nations, and future generations.”
The Columbia River Basin is the second-largest watershed in the United States, stretching across parts of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and beyond. Home to 8 million people and more than 15 Tribal Nations, the Basin is central to the cultural, economic, and ecological identity of the Pacific Northwest, a Merkely press release said.
For decades, industrial pollution, toxic runoff, and habitat degradation have threatened the health of the river and the communities that depend on it. The Columbia River Basin Restoration Program, first authorized in 2016, was the first federal initiative specifically designed to address toxic contamination in this critical watershed.
“Since its inception, the program has helped fund on-the-ground restoration projects, empowered Tribal and community-led efforts, and strengthened the scientific foundation for long-term recovery,” said the press release.
The Columbia River Clean-Up Act is endorsed by the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, The Freshwater Trust, Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, National Wildlife Federation, The Nature Conservancy, Oregon Association of Clean Water Agencies, Pacific Northwest Waterways Association, and Trout Unlimited.
The Freshwater Trust – Joe Whitworth, President & CEO:
“The Columbia River Basin Restoration program incentivizes effective and collaborative conservation effort with public and private partners across Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. We strongly support the reauthorization of this funding.”
Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership – Elaine Placido, Executive Director:
“The Columbia River Basin Restoration Program unites Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington to reduce toxic pollution in the Columbia River Basin through coordinated, community-driven solutions. This program is a transformative resource for the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership. With its support, we are implementing locally designed stormwater projects at schools and community centers. We’ve also leveraged program funding to secure over $1 million in additional investments, significantly amplifying the program’s reach and impact.”
The National Wildlife Federation – Alicia Marrs, Director of Western Water:
“The health and resilience of the Columbia River Basin is critical to the more than 8 million people that depend on it for their drinking water. Reducing contaminants is essential to maintaining a healthy water supply so that fish, wildlife, and communities and economies in the Basin can thrive. With the future of EPA funding uncertain, reauthorizing the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program ensures previous investments are not wasted and we continue to leverage collaborative, voluntary efforts with tribes and states that protect communities and ecosystems from toxic pollution. We are grateful for Representative Hoyle’s sustained leadership on this critical issue and look forward to continued collaborations to build resilience for the entire region.”
The Nature Conservancy – Sammy Mastaw Jr, Columbia Basin Program Director:
“Salmon are facing a myriad of threats, including pollution and contamination of vital habitat. The introduction of the Columbia River Clean-Up Act — reauthorizing the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program — is a practical, science-based investment in the resilience of the Basin, and an important step toward healing for salmon and people.”
Oregon Association of Clean Water Agencies – Jerry Linder, Executive Director:
“Columbia Basin Restoration Funds enabled EPA to provide grant funds to the Oregon Association of Clean Water Agencies to complete work aimed at toxics reduction, specifically reducing PFAS and Phthalates through public education, low toxicity institutional purchasing guidelines, assessment of PFAS and Phthalate sources, and industrial pollution prevention information and assistance. The products of this effort are on the Oregon ACWA website and there have been 5111 downloads, so the information is making a difference to reduce toxics in the Columbia Basin and elsewhere. There is still much work to be done and the Columbia River Basin Clean-Up Act is essential to continuing the progress that has been made so far.”
Pacific Northwest Waterways Association – Neil Maunu, Executive Director:
“The Pacific Northwest Waterways Association (PNWA) was proud to support the original legislation that created this voluntary program to aid in the clean up and prevention of toxins that are harmful to the Columbia River ecosystem, listed species, and people. PNWA supports the reauthorization of the program under the Columbia River Clean Up Act to continue the valuable collaborative work being done by local communities, organizations, and Tribes to improve water quality and the environment on the Columbia River.”
Trout Unlimited – Chrysten Rivard, Oregon Director:
“For nearly a decade, the successful Columbia River Basin Restoration Program has made key investments across the Columbia River Basin to reduce toxins and improve water quality. Trout Unlimited applauds Congresswoman Hoyle’s leadership to ensure that this program continues to support Tribal, state and local governments, and non-profit groups throughout the basin who are working to make a difference for our waters and communities.”
This bill is co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.)
The text of the Columbia River Clean-Up Act is available here.
The Columbia River Basin Restoration Program:
- Officially designates the national importance of the Columbia River Basin, which includes Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana.
- Authorized the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish the Columbia River Basin Restoration Working Group to understand and reduce toxics across the basin. It includes representatives of states, local governments, Tribal governments, ports, and non-profit organizations.
- Directed the EPA to develop the Columbia River Basin Restoration Funding Assistance Program, which is a voluntary, competitive grants program for environmental protection and restoration programs throughout the Basin.
- In 2021, the EPA awarded more than $79 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding through this program to reduce toxics in fish and water throughout the Basin. Awardees in past years have included:
- Over $5.5 million to expand a stormwater retrofit program in Lane County.
- $1.9 million to Grand Ronde Tribe to reduce pollution in the Willamette River Basin.
- $349,919 to Oregon State University to monitor mercury risk in the Willamette Valley.
Also see:
–CBB, Nov. 30, 2023, “EPA Sending $32 Million To The Columbia River Basin For Projects Aimed At Reducing Toxins In Fish, Water,” https://columbiabasinbulletin.org/epa-sending-32-million-to-the-columbia-river-basin-for-projects-aimed-at-reducing-toxins-in-fish-water/
–CBB, Dec. 16, 2016, “‘Columbia River Basin Restoration Act’ Passes Congress, Aims To Reduce Toxic Contaminants,” https://columbiabasinbulletin.org/columbia-river-basin-restoration-act-passes-congress-aims-to-reduce-toxic-contaminants/