The federal Action Agencies that operate the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) have asked the state of Washington to join in a partnership to expedite habitat restoration efforts for salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River Estuary below Bonneville Dam. On  September 16, 2009, the Washington Governor and Director of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) signed the Estuary Habitat Memorandum of Agreement (Estuary MOA) with the Action Agencies. The Estuary MOA established a nine-year funding arrangement for habitat restoration in the lower Columbia River and tidally influenced tributaries – from Bonneville Dam to the mouth of the Columbia River where it flows into the Pacific Ocean. In April 2020, an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was established between Washington and BPA to extend the partnership through 2023.

During this contract period, WDFW will: coordinate tasks for the Chinook Estuary restoration work, South Unit Shillapoo and Buckmire Slough Restoration Project, initialize post-project monitoring for the South Bachelor Island Restoration Project, continue support of restoration projects previously completed, and evaluate additional projects if the opportunities arise. Key tasks include concept design, permitting, AEMR, maintaining fish access to restoration projects, public involvement, and evaluation of project needs.