Lower Columbia Water Trail Planning Background
The Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership is coordinating development of the Lower Columbia River Water Trail through its Lower Columbia River Water Trail Committee. The Water Trail Committee is a standing committee of the Estuary Partnership and is a consensus-driven group that includes Oregon and Washington State Parks, the National Park Service, the US Coast Guard, local governments, historical groups, paddling organizations, retail stores, interested citizens, and Washington Water Trails Association.
The Lower Columbia River Estuary is one of 28 estuaries in the nation designated an "Estuary of National Significance".
Vision
A water trail on the free-flowing Lower Columbia River from Bonneville Dam to the Pacific Ocean that people in non-motorized boats can safely travel on for day or overnight explorations.
Goals
- To physically, intellectually, and spiritually connect people with the Lower Columbia River
- To promote the water trail as a valuable resource for recreation, education, and stewardship
- To increase and improve public access and environmentally sensitive launch, landing, and camp sites for non-motorized boats along the water trail
- To acknowledge both historic and modern-day water trail stories by romoting places of historical, cultural, and recreational interest along the river
- To encourage communities, counties, businesses, and individuals to support, promote, and connect to the water trail
- To coordinate with planning efforts and events for the 2003-2006 Lewis and Clark Bicentennial