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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 1995
95-197
CONTACT:
Helen Bresler (360) 407-6480
Mary Getchell (360) 407-6157 Pager (360) 534-8590
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HIRED FOR LOWER COLUMBIA RIVER NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAM
OLYMPIA, WA --The Lower Columbia River National Estuary Program has hired Debrah Richard Marriott as its first executive director. Marriott will work with the states of Oregon and Washington, public ports, industry, environmental groups, tribes, local governments and others to gain program approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and to provide leadership during the life of the program.
The focus of the National Estuary Program will be to learn more about the health of the river, develop short and long-term solutions, and to take early action when possible to solve environmental problems.
Marriott's professional background includes positions as both the Acting Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner (Director) of Maine's Department of Environmental Protection. In her professional roles, she was involved in the National Estuary Program for Casco Bay in Maine. Her educational background includes an undergraduate degree from the University of Maine, and a masters degree from the University of Oregon.
The lower Columbia River was nominated for inclusion in the National Estuary Program by the governors of Oregon and Washington in January 1995 and was accepted into the program in July. In nominating the lower Columbia River both governors believed that the river is a valuable resource that needs protection so that it remains environmentally and economically healthy for future generations.
The National Estuary Program is an outgrowth of the Lower Columbia River Bi-State Water Quality Program established in 1989. The program has been studying the water quality of the lower Columbia and has produced a series of reports on the water quality impacts on the health of people, fish and wildlife. The National Estuary Program will build on the results of the study and the working relationships developed since its inception to continue to find and implement solutions for protecting the river's health.
Oregon and Washington are finalizing an agreement on the programs structure and operation. Once the agreement is approved by both governors it will go to the EPA for approval. When approved by the EPA, the program will be funded through the next three years at approximately $500,000 per year.
Marriott began her position on December 18, and will be provided office space at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality in Portland.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
