CREST proposes to continue to implement estuary habitat restoration projects during this contract period. Projects developed, designed, and permitted during previous contract periods will move to construction. CREST will continue to develop and design BPA-approved new restoration projects working with landowners, stakeholders, and subcontracted design and engineering consultants. CREST will also continue to invest staff time in community outreach and project development including participating in regional meetings with BPA, the Corps, as well as partner coordination forums such as the Estuary Partnership's Science Work Group (SWG). CREST biologists will conduct Level 3 pre and post project evaluation (Action Effectiveness Monitoring; AEMR) at our restoration sites in coordination with partners and the Columbia Estuary Ecosystem Restoration Program (CEERP).  

Restoration of estuary habitat focuses on habitat opportunity, capacity, and realized function critical to the recovery of threatened/endangered salmon utilizing the Columbia River Estuary. CREST Habitat Restoration Program Deliverables include:
    1) Development of BPA-approved estuary habitat restoration projects.
    2) Presenting and prioritizing restoration projects based on guidance from BPA and the Expert Regional Technical Group (ERTG)
    3) Incorporating design feedback from the ERTG, Project Review Committee (PRC) and partners.
    4) Design, permit, and implementation of 2-5 estuarine restoration projects each year.
    5) Conduct CEERP Level 3 Action Effectiveness Monitoring and Research (AEMR) of restoration projects in coordination with regional partners.

The following projects are currently in full design, engineering, and permitting and will move to construction in 2023 and 2024:

• Wolf Bay: This project will create two new openings through a large railroad berm, opening up 44 acres of floodplain habitat in Reach B of the lower Columbia River. New channel openings, riparian plantings, and other habitat improvements are planned for the site
• South Tongue Point: Project will create 6 new tidal channel networks, a 1/2 mile flow-through side channel, and various other side channel extensions.
• Palensky Wildlife Corridor: Continuing on the recently completed Palensky restoration project, this wildlife corridor will focus on creating a safe migratory route underneath Hwy 30 for amphibians to transit between the uplands of Forest Park and the floodplain wetlands of the Palensky Wildlife Area: A 54" diameter culvert with native substrate and light boxes will be installed underneath the highway. 600 linear feet of directional wall will be constructed to direct migratory wildlife towards the new underpass.
• Agency Creek: Project will install a new 40' long bridge into the 22 acre site. Four breaches throughout an existing levee to provide better floodplain connectivity across the site. Wetland and riparian plantings.
• Warren Slough: A new 60' long bridge will be installed to provide full fish passage to the 22 acres of floodplain habitat. Wetland and riparian plantings to improve wetland function.


The following projects are currently in feasibility and will begin design, engineering, and permitting phases and will move to construction in 2025-2028:

• Carr Slough: Designs for the Carr Slough project will occur in 2023 and 2024. This project will entail breaching the existing railroad berm to create full fish access and hydrologic connectivity to approximately 121 acres of floodplain wetland habitat directly off of the mainstem Columbia River. Other project actions include creation of additional tidal channels, increased channel sinousity, marshplain lowering, and riparian and emergent plantings.
• Netul Landing: Designs for the Netul Landing project will be finalized in 2023. The project involves breaching an existing levee, creation of new tidal channel, new culverts, and construction of a setback levee. The project will open up full fish access to 24 acres of floodplain habitat along the Lewis and Clark River.
• Toaheedliini: Designs for the Toaheedliini project will be completed during 2023 and 2024. Restoration actions for this project will include removing sections of the deauthorized levee along the Walluski River in multiple locations to an elevation that matches the interior marshplain elevation. Additional excavation will also occur in the interior of the wetland to enhance the wetland channel network to further improve tidal connectivity and fish access. The site will be revegetated with native plants following construction.
• Hogan Ranch: Designs for Hogan Ranch will occur during 2023 and 2024. Restoration treatments include new tidal channels, installation of bridges, and marshplain lowering to expand floodplain wetland habitat.
• Deep River/Mint Farm: Designs for Deep River/Mint Farm will occur during 2023 and 2024. Restoration actions include levee breaches, installation of bridges, construction of a setback levee, filling of artificial channels, and marshplain plantings and enhancements.
• Crosel Creek: Designs to occur in 2024 and 2025. Project will focus on wetland enhancement and reconnection of historic tidal channels throughout the 55 acre site.
• Colewort Creek: Ph3: Designs to commence in 2024 and 2025. Restoration actions include installation of new bridge or large box culvert, removal of sections of levee, and reconnection of tidal channels.
• Aaron/McNary: Designs to occur in 2023 through 2025. Restoration actions include breaching multiple new openings into the 386 acre site, construction of new bridges, excavation of tidal channels, and marshplain treatments.

CREST is also pursuing various projects at the feasibility design stage. These projects include South Crane Lake, Fort Stevens, Clatsop Fairgrounds, Malarkey Ranch, and Mansfield/Mafre.

CREST will pursue cost share for project engineering and construction during this contract period from the National Park Service, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Salmon Recovery Funding Board, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership, and other funding sources.  

Within this contract, major work elements are directly related to implementation of previously designed projects and on engineering and permitting for outyear projects. Additional actions focus on action effectiveness monitoring, community outreach and project development.  

Projects in development will be subject to review by the Estuary Partnership's Project Review Committee (PRC) at 30% design and review and assignment of project benefits by the Expert Regional Technical Group (ERTG) at 60% design.  All projects in the estuary are also subject to cost benefit analysis and approval by BPA.  Each of the projects CREST is proposing during this contract undergoes a cost/PBU preliminary review and final scoring by ERTG.  If at any time during the scientific review and the ERTG process it is determined that proposed restoration projects do not meet BPA criteria for implementation, CREST will work with BPA to address these issues.

Post project evaluation (Level 3 AEMR) will be conducted by CREST biologists at many projects including: North Unit: Ph1, Gnat Creek: Ph2, Karlson Island, North Unit: Ph2, Sharnelle-Fee, Bear/Mary/Ferris, Dairy Creek, Government Island, McCarthy: Ph2, John Day Crossing, West Sand Island, Woodland Islands, Hungry Harbor, Palensky, Dalton Lake, South Tongue Point, and Aldrich Point.

Both pre and post project monitoring will be conducted at Wolf Bay, Warren Slough, and Agency Creek.  Pre project monitoring at Toaheedliini, Carr Slough, Netul Landing, Hogan Ranch, Mint Farm, Crosel Creek, Colewort: Ph3, and Aaron/McNary will occur during this contract period.  Project monitoring is used at restoration sites to better quantify use and habitat lift for individual restoration sites and to inform benefits of restoration actions at projects in development.