Habitat Enhancement Highlight: Cruiser Creek

Did you see us on TV? The Cruiser Creek project recently attracted news coverage by KATU's Grant McOmie! This $200,000 restoration project replaced three culverts that blocked the routes of migrating salmon, enhanced 1.5 miles of instream habitat by adding logs and boulders, decommissioned over three miles of forest roads, and will soon plant five streamside acres with native trees. But that's only half the story...

This effort marks the first major restoration project in the region that straddles state and federal lands. The Oregon Department of Forestry and Bureau of Land Management approached TEP to manage the project, while agency staff oversaw on-the-ground work on their respective properties. Regarded among the partners as a resounding success, the Cruiser Creek project represents a model for future enhancement projects that cross state and federal boundaries.

To read more about Cruiser Creek and other Habitat Enhancement projects click here.

Education & Outreach Highlight: Estuary Live!

The satellite truck hummed, the cameras prepared to roll, and dozens of students and natural resource experts studied their lines one last time. On a cool, clear September morning, TEP stood poised to host one of five nationwide Estuary Live! broadcasts.

Estuary Live! is an internet-based field trip for K-12 students that provides an innovative introduction to the wonders of estuaries. Broadcasting from a scenic Tillamook Bay jetty, local students and natural resource professionals gave viewers an up-close look at estuarine critters, explaining their life cycles and roles in the environment. Using live specimens, microscopes, testing equipment, maps, & more, the one hour student-driven program provided a fascinating journey through the estuarine ecosystem. Classroom viewers from all over the country emailed questions during the live broadcast, many of which were answered on-the-spot.

To learn more about Estuary Live! click here, or to view an archived version click here.

Research & Monitoring Highlight: Tracking Progress

"So is the environmental quality of the bay and watershed getting better or worse?" After ten years in business (five in plan development and five in implementation), this question is often asked of TEP. In Washington DC Congress asks a similar question, "Is our investment in the National Estuary Program paying dividends?"

Simple questions, with extremely complex answers. In an effort to address these questions at both the local and national levels the 28 National Estuary Projects - including TEP - have developed basin-specific environmental indicators. To quantify these indicators, TEP is investing in new monitoring programs and data collection.

Welcome, York! To head up this effort, TEP is pleased to announce the hiring of York Johnson as its new Research and Monitoring Program Manager. York joins us through a unique partnership with Oregon DEQ, which funds roughly half of the position. In addition to extensive water quality monitoring experience (and a cool motorcycle), York brings the technical resources of a vital state partner to TEP.

Please click here for more information on TEP's Research & Monitoring programs.

TEP's Local Grant Program Highlight: Coast Tire Clean-up

Recently the City of Tillamook identified soil contamination underlying the site of the demolished Coast Tire building (along Highway 101 just north of Hoquarton Slough). Recognizing the potential for the spread of toxic contaminants into ground water and neighboring water bodies like the Hoquarton Slough, the City acted quickly to secure funds for clean-up. TEP has committed $10,000 to this effort, joining the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department and Shorebank Pacific in financing this important project.

Follow this link to learn about additional conservation projects undertaken by the City, as well as other Local Grant recipients.

IN THIS ISSUE: PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Habitat Enhancement Program:
Cruiser Creek


Education & Outreach Program:
Estuary Live!


Research & Monitoring Program:
Tracking Progress


Local Grant Program:
City of Tillamook: Coast Tire Clean-up

UPCOMING EVENTS

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ISSUE 1: WINTER 2005/2006

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Visit our website at www.tbnep.org to learn more about the TEP.


Tillamook Estuaries Partnership
613 Commercial Street
P.O. Box 493
Garibaldi, OR 97118
(503) 322-2222 phone
(503) 322-2261 fax
info@tbnep.org