Section 320 of the clean water act authorizes the administrator of the EPA to convene management conferences to develop comprehensive conservation and management plans for estuaries of national…

Section 320 of the clean water act authorizes the administrator of the EPA to convene management conferences to develop comprehensive conservation and management plans for estuaries of national significance that are threatened by pollution, development, or overuse. The agreement provides funding to the lower columbia estuary partnership (lcep) for national estuary program (NEP) to support implementation of the NEP comprehensive conservation and management plan (ccmp) to improve water quality, protect the natural habitat and living resources, and support sustainable human uses in the estuary. Lcep builds on their current partnership efforts and provides a regional framework for habitat and habitat function restoration, developing new technical tools and filling gaps in the existing science and monitoring information, water quality and contaminant reduction, and public education and stewardship. Their collaborative partnership approach is intended to restore habitat while advancing science and improving ecological conditions within the NEP study area, as well as educating the public on environmental issues related to the lower columbia river estuary and watersheds.activities:the project will support activities that address the key challenges facing the estuary including assessing trends in water quality, habitats, natural resources and uses; coordinating implementation of the ccmp by the NEP, along with the state, federal, local agencies, stakeholders, ngos, citizens, partners, and others; and monitoring the effectiveness of activities conducted under the management conference approved ccmp and annual workplan. The recipient will primarily support staff to perform projects that implement the EPA approved ccmp actions to increase habitat and habitat function; identify and implement building, planning, and land use practices to reduce impacts; reduce or remove contaminants; provide education and engagement activities, and convene and coordinate partners to enhance regional strategies for the protection of the lower columbia river estuary and watersheds.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:anticipated outcomes include measurable progress toward increasing habitat and habitat function for multiple species, reducing or removing contaminants to improve water quality, and convening and coordinating partners to enhance regional strategies and partnerships and heighten protection of the lower columbia river. Anticipated deliverables include an inventory of ecosystem services potential by habitats across the lower river, 20,000 hours of river and environmental education programming intended to reach 3,000 students each year, and a range of local, regional, and national collaborations and conversations such as science to policy summits and columbia river estuary conferences. This assistance agreement is for the direct benefit of the recipient and the public and those who live, work and recreate in and around the lower columbia river estuary and watersheds.