The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is working closely with the Lower Columbia River Estuary
Partnership (LCREP) to implement BPA project 2003-007-00. The LCREP is in year 4 of implementing this
project. The USGS was a subcontractor under the LCREP contract for the first 2 years (September 1, 2003
to August 31, 2005). In FY06 and FY07, USGS will be contracting directly with BPA to complete a part of the
work outlined under project 2003-007-00.



TOXICS MONITORING:

The Estuary Partnership in conjunction with USGS and NOAA Fisheries (NOAA Fisheries will continue to be
a subcontractor under LCREP's contract with BPA) will produce a report documenting the results of monthly
and seasonal water-column samples, suspended-sediment samples, SPMDs, and fish samples on the lower
Columbia River and estuary. This report will provide baseline toxic contaminant data, track trends in toxic
contaminant concentrations over time, identify specific problem sites, provide possible levels of exposure,
and evaluate possible impacts of toxics contamination on selected species such as salmonids. The toxics
monitoring program continues to focus on three mediums: water column, sediments, and tissues.