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. WDFW and BPA continue to partner to leverage BPA funding with state resources and lands.

During this contract period, WDFW will: determine the feasibility of a variety of potential projects in the Lower Columbia River Estuary, conduct outreach and continue the working group process to pick an preferred alternative for a South Unit Shillapoo Restoration Project and work towards 30% design, work towards 60% design for a floodplain reconnection of 100 acres in the Skamokawa, support the CEERP and WA in BUDM forums, continue support of restoration projects previously completed, evaluate additional projects if the opportunities arise, and take the next steps in determining the feasibility of a more comprehensive funding strategy. Key tasks include landowner outreach, 30-60% designs, maintaining fish access to restoration projects, public involvement, and evaluation of project needs.