NSF Visit

            Essentially, the work that CMOP does in the coastal/estuary field for Oregon has profound impacts on the previously limited knowledge of both the Oregon coast and Columbia River Estuary systems and the interactions between Oregon residents and the two systems. Specifically for my project, being able to evaluate the changes in habitat opportunity in the Columbia River Estuary will hold great significance in the coming years for the negotiations of the Columbia River Treaty and all of the tribes that are impacted in the process. The modeling work that I’m doing will hopefully provide CRITFC and the tribes involved with a better scientific backing to be able to assess how various treaty scenarios in conjunction with climate change will affect habitat opportunities for different species within the Columbia River Estuary. And with any luck the political parties involved will use the information to make the best decision that will benefit both the economic profit and safety gained from the dam system as well as the environment within the estuary.