The Estuary Partnership is pleased to announce the Honorable Congressman Earl Blumenauer as its 2024 Steward of the Year
Beginning in the halls of Oregon’s Capitol and all the way to the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Blumenauer has been a tireless advocate for his constituents and the environment. The Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership is thrilled to name Congressman Earl Blumenauer as its 2024 Steward of the Year.
The Estuary Partnership’s Steward of the Year award recognizes the outstanding stewardship and dedication of an individual or organization to the protection and restoration of the Columbia River. Throughout his 28-year tenure representing Oregon’s Third Congressional District, Congressmen Blumenauer’s sustained leadership was pivotal to efforts protecting and restoring the Columbia River.
Congressman Blumenauer was a champion of the Estuary Partnership from the start. His faithful support for the National Estuary Program, the EPA-managed program that supports the Estuary Partnership, is a testament to the Congressman’s commitment to clean water, environmental justice, and the power of nature-based solutions to support community resiliency.
Congressman Blumenauer was the leader in the US House of Representatives who championed the Columbia River Basin Restoration Act. The importance of this landmark legislation to our region cannot be understated. It is quickly becoming the driving force providing critical funding for salmon, watershed restoration, and efforts to reduce toxic pollution throughout the Columbia River Basin.
The results of Congressman Blumenauer’s steadfast support for the Columbia River Basin Restoration Act have delivered nearly $75 million in grants to the region.
These accomplishments would not have been possible without Congressman Blumenauer's outstanding leadership. His belief in the protection and restoration of the iconic Columbia River was apparent in the way he tirelessly fought for it. His record of advocacy is truly exceptional. The Estuary Partnership is honored to recognize Congressman Blumenauer as the 2024 Steward of the Year.