News Release
| Release Number: | 07-100 |
| Dated: | 8/17/2007 |
| Contact: | Diana J. Fredlund, 503-808-4510 |
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Northwest Discovery Water Trail committee will formalize the partnership of federal, state and non-profit organizations at a signing ceremony beginning at 1:30 p.m., Aug. 27, at the Bonneville Lock and Dam navigational lock visitor center. The water trail allows boaters a first-hand experience traveling in the paddle strokes of Lewis and Clark, Native Americans and pioneers during the westward expansion on the Clearwater, Snake and Columbia rivers.
The ceremony will be attended by Rep. Brian Baird, Third Congressional District of Washington, who is a boating enthusiast and supports the efforts of the partners.
The agreement affirms the organizations’ commitment to a unified decision-making approach regarding the management of the Northwest Discovery Water Trail as it applies to recreational boaters. “Each organization agreed that strategies should focus on what is best for the users of the water trail,” said Patricia Williams, the committee representative from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Portland. “That focus highlights the water trail and not the individual agencies’ goals and supports what is important for the water trail’ success.”
Each organization and agency brings experience and expertise to the partnership. “The dedication of the partners and local communities has been one of the water trail’s greatest strengths,” Williams added.
The goals of the Northwest Discovery Water Trail include: improving launch and landing sites and other facilities that support the water trail user, promoting boating safety, commemorating water trail heritage, and supporting environmental stewardship along the trail. The 367-mile recreational water trail begins at Canoe Camp on the Clearwater River in Idaho and flows down the Snake and Columbia rivers through Washington and Oregon. The route ends at Bonneville Lock and Dam, where it links with the Lower Columbia River Water Trail to create a seamless 500-mile water trail system with more than 200 sites for camping, picnicking and launching motorized- and non-motorized boats.
The partners in the Northwest Discovery Water Trail include the Portland and Walla Walla districts of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; U.S. Coast Guard; Bureau of Land Management; U.S. Forest Service; National Park Service; Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission; Oregon Parks and Recreation Department; Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation; Washington Water Trails Association; Columbia Riverkeeper; Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership and many other local community groups along the rivers.
Bonneville Lock and Dam is located 40 miles east of Portland. From Portland, follow Interstate 84 to exit 40. To reach the navigational lock visitor center, pass through the security station and follow the signs to the first parking lot on the right.
For more information on the signing ceremony, please contact Patti Williams at 503-808-4322, or patricia.d.williams@usace.army.mil. You may also visit the Northwest Discovery Water Trail website at: www.ndwt.org.